It was not just the 44-30 loss of the Dallas Cowboys to the Detroit Lions that made news. The controversy erupted when tight end Jake Ferguson was called for offensive pass interference. It sparked outrage, leading analysts, fans, and some NFL legends, like Terry McAulay, to immediately push back, stating that the move was within the rules.

“Do I get fined for talking about this?… I’m sorry, that was bad. I got to look at the film, maybe I can see it from their vantage point. I know I talked to the ref after, he said [Ferguson] aggressively pulled through. I’ve never seen a call like that, the former NFL referee said.”

It all started when Dallas drove deep inside Detroit territory. On one key play, Dak Prescott was looking to the end zone for Ferguson, and it had initially appeared to be a likely case of hand-fighting that was initiated by the defender. A flag came down, and the assumption of most watching, including the broadcast team, was that Detroit’s coverage had been called for defensive contact.

Instead, after a brief officials’ huddle, the ruling came as it was stunning to everyone: offensive pass interference on Ferguson. Reversing the field position, the call forced the Cowboys into a field-goal attempt on fourth down.

Just as he snapped the ball, linebacker Alex Anzalone was closing in on Ferguson, making the early contact many thought drew the flag. But on replay, cameras caught Ferguson executing a textbook swim move. Rather than reward the route win, officials deemed the move OPI, and everyone was perplexed.

In fact, the Cowboys’ head coach was seen visibly agitated by the call. The call not only stalled Dallas’ comeback attempt but also added to the mounting pressure. The team even lost its star player, CeeDee Lamb, to a concussion injury. The already-thin offense watched a promising scoring opportunity dissolve.

Detroit took over possession after the field goal and added one more touchdown. Even Dak Prescott talked about this incident. This decision clearly didn’t sit well with many.

NFL Legends and analysts blast the controversial call

Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe was one of the first major voices to speak out against the ruling and provided a very candid assessment.

”Not sure I’ve ever seen that called, let alone in that situation. That’s some bulljive,” he wrote.

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As a Hall of Fame tight end, Sharpe’s criticism of the route-running penalty carried significant weight.

Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish provided real-time insight from the sideline to give vivid detail.

”Brian Schottenheimer is hot on the #Cowboys sideline after pass interference is called against Jake Ferguson. Dak Prescott is also pleading his case to the officials, but to no avail. Dan Campbell declines the penalty, and Brandon Aubrey comes out to attempt the field goal,” Yarrish wrote on X.

Former NFL defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko added in emphatic fashion.

“BRO WHAT IS THIS OFFICIATING??? Bro this is crazy man,” he wrote. It epitomized the broader frustration among players, who more than anyone else know how important late-game consistency is in officiating.

NFL personality Pat McAfee probably had the most candid assessment of them all, saying, “These refs are super dookie right now.”

McAfee’s reaction epitomised what thousands of fans were thinking in real time. The outrage from former players, analysts, and fans combined to show just how sharply the call ran against expectations.