NEW YORK - Referee Tom White was fined $2,600 for failing torestart the clock at the end of the Seattle-Baltimore game, a mistakethat contributed to the Seahawks' 44-41 overtime loss.
The fine represented half of White's game check, supervisor ofofficials Mike Pereira said Wednesday.
The entire crew was reprimanded for its performance during theNov. 23 game, presumably hurting its chances to officiate in theplayoffs.
The play in question occurred with 58 seconds left and Seattleahead 41-38. The Seahawks' Shaun Alexander gained 3 yards to theBaltimore 33, but head linesman Ed Camp threw a penalty flag becausehe thought offensive tackle Floyd Womack lined up as an ineligiblereceiver.
The Ravens called their final timeout but the clock was stoppedanyway for the officials to discuss the penalty. They determinedWomack was eligible, let the play stand and gave Baltimore back itsfinal timeout.
The Ravens were ready to call timeout again, but White did notrestart the clock.
As a result, Baltimore saved its timeout until after the plays,saving 40 seconds that it used when it got the ball back to tie agame it eventually won in overtime.
"I don't think we have any cause to be pointing fingers anywhereelse," Seahawks linebacker Chad Brown said at the time. "Yeah, theofficials blew the call. And we gave up 41 points."
AP-ES-12-03-03 1606EST
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