As Jerome Bettis walks toward the center of the field on Thanksgiving Day of 1998, he has no idea what is about to happen. This event will be the subject of controversy for days to follow. Bettis and his Pittsburgh Steelers have just finished regulation play against the Detroit Lions and are ready for the coin toss, which will precede the overtime period. Referee Phil Luckett tosses the coin up in the air as Bettis calls “Tails.” The coin lands with tails up. The referee then tells the Lions’ captains that they have won the toss and asks them what they elect to do. In total amazement, Bettis insists that he said, “Tails,” and his Steelers won the toss! But Referee Phil Luckett disagrees with Bettis and allows the Lions to start out overtime with the ball. Detroit goes on to win the controversial overtime period. If instant replay had been implemented at this time, it would have shown that Bettis did indeed call “Tails,” which would most likely have changed the outcome of the game. Instant replay should be permanently implemented into the National Football League (NFL).First, instant replay allows a referee to review the previous play in an NFL game. It was in use from 1986-1991 and was experimented with in the recent 1999 season. Tony Verna is credited with inducting instant replay into the NFL back in 1986 (Lopez 58). Instant replay was implemented to ensure the correct calls are made in crucial games. The Lions-Steelers game on Thanksgiving Day is a good example of what should not happen when instant replay is in use. After this bizarre incident, the NFL then changed its rule of 22 years that team captains call the flip in the air. Now captains call it before the flip. In addition, three officials will oversee the ceremony instead of one. According to Erik Brady: "Now we know the answer to a new spin on an old joke: How many NFL officials does it take to flip a coin" (2A)?...
