WASHINGTON, D.C. -The United States Supreme Court, responding to an emergency writ of certiorari filed by heartbroken fans this past Monday, reversed the outcome of last Saturday’s playoff game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers in a unanimous decision issued yesterday.
The ruling, which essentially ends the Jaguars season, sends the Pittsburgh Steelers to Foxboro, Massachusetts this weekend for a second-round playoff match against the undefeated New England Patriots.
Writing for the Court, Chief Justice John Roberts said an abuse of discretion by the head official in assessing a holding penalty against Steelers center Sean Maha on the Hines Ward two-point conversion play was “so egregious as to nullify the final result of the contest.”
Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said he was disappointed by the Court’s ruling. “Still, we are a nation of laws, and the Court is the final arbiter. While I respectfully disagree, we will abide their decision. Effective immediately, I am releasing all players and staff until mandatory pre-season work-outs resume in May." Del Rio then excused himself to begin the process of cleaning out his locker.
Attorney’s for the Steelers were in the process of preparing an emergency motion for the Court’s consideration asking for a stay of Saturday night’s game to allow Coach Tomlin and his staff additional time to prepare. They expected to file the motion this morning.
