The NFL’s previous experience with replacement officials during the 2012 lockout ended in controversy, particularly highlighted by the “Fail Mary” incident, which led to widespread criticism and the eventual resolution of the dispute. This debacle featured conflicting calls by officials during a pivotal game between Seattle and Green Bay, culminating in a disputed touchdown that should have been ruled offensive pass interference. The league is now preparing for potential use of replacement officials again due to stalled negotiations and is considering allowing replay reviews for certain clear mistakes. Past issues included procedural errors and player safety concerns, raising doubts about the competency of replacement officials.
