Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (29) and free safety Jimmie Ward (20) during the first quarter Sunday night at Levi's Stadium. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

NFL world blasts officials for horrible call during Rams-49ers game

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 10/18/20

The San Francisco 49ers found themselves up 7-0 in the first quarter of Sunday’s must-win game against the division rival Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco desperately needs to win following two consecutive losses.

With the 49ers gaining possession of the ball late in the first quarter, running back Jerick McKinnon was touched down twice before the Rams stripped him of the ball and turned up field. It’s obvious that McKinnon was down.

What is happening? This was originally called a fumble. pic.twitter.com/8hSwlwwqh3
— Sportsnaut (@Sportsnaut) October 19, 2020

Despite this, officials on hand at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara initially called it a fumble. With the play being challenged, things got confusing rather quickly before the officials ultimately overturned the call on the field.

The whole sequence had 2020 vibes to it. How in the world can that be called a fumble live? Secondly, officials seemed to confuse themselves before finally getting it right after several minutes.

Those watching the game responded in kind.

That brief fumble call was an homage to replacement officials.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) October 19, 2020

After all of that, it's #49ers ball, which it felt like should have never been in question. But hey, these games don't last long enough as it is.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 19, 2020

The XFL would have reversed this five minutes ago.
— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) October 19, 2020

Replay isn’t the problem. Refs refusing to make calls on the field to wait for replay is the problem. That was a total waste of 10 minutes.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) October 19, 2020

Now, Carl Cheffers says Jerick McKinnon was touched while he was done. NO FUMBLE.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 19, 2020

At the very least, this has been an inexcusably long delay to correct a human mistake.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 19, 2020

This call is a joke if it's upheld.
— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) October 19, 2020

Seriously, this is atrocious @NFL. The runner is down by contact. It's not even disputable.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) October 19, 2020

The 49ers would go on to score a touchdown to take a 14-0 lead. At the very least, it seems that replay worked wonders. If that had not happened, it would have legitimately been one of the worst calls in modern NFL history.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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