Referee Morelli's home vandalized

[BroncoBuff]

It's hard to believe there's such big football fans in Stockton, California, but .... http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3414865

Ref's home vandalized
By Bill Briggs
Denver Post Staff Writer
DenverPost.com

One night after his notorious reversal of an onfield interception threw NFL referee Pete Morelli into a national storm - and nearly sent Denver packing for Indianapolis - Morelli found himself between a hard place and a rock.

A vandal hurled a grapefruit-sized boulder through a plate-glass window in Morelli's Stockton, Calif. home at about 10 p.m. Monday, according to Stockton Police Lt. Thomas Wells. Morelli, who also works as a high school principal, was home with his wife at the time.

"They were in bed or going to bed when he heard the window break and Mr. Morelli came downstairs. He heard a car speed away and saw a rock," Wells said.

"There is no way to determine whether this had anything to do with his NFL job, or his job as a school principal or whether it was just a random act of malicious mischief," Wells said. "There was no note tied to the rock."

Morelli did not return a message left with a family member, who said the referee also has received several threatening phone calls this week.

The NFL has asked its security team to work with Stockton police officers already investigating the attack, said Mike Pereira, the league's vice president of officiating.

"When you live in a small town, people know you, know what you do. You get notoriety and normally that's positive stuff," Pereira said. "It's unnerving. It's just infuriating. We say we live in a fish bowl and this is just living proof.

"He's doing alright," Pereira said, adding that Morelli is not scheduled to work either of the conference championship games this weekend.

In an AFC divisional playoff game Sunday between Pittsburgh and Indianapolis, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu made a diving catch of a pass thrown by the Colts' Peyton Manning with 5:26 to play. Polamalu tumbled with the ball in his hands but dropped it as he stood to run. He then recovered the ball. Colts coach Tony Dungy challenged the interception call. After looking at replays, Morelli ruled that Polamalu had not completed the catch.

After the reversal, Indianapolis scored a quick touchdown and a two-point conversion, cutting the Steelers' lead to 21-18. Minutes later, Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard field-goal attempt, giving Pittsburgh the win. On Monday, Pereira admitted that Morelli had goofed, saying that Polamalu "maintained possession long enough to establish a catch."

[BroncoBuff]

What would've happened to the guy if Pittsburgh LOST?!

[FantomForce]

People are stupid, for hell's sake the Steelers won

[Garcia Bronco]

Yeah...so what does that tell you?

[watermock]

jeez...that's over the top!

Horrible call but you don't pull that stunt! It's a game man...a game! Just because you want to hang the ref doesn't mean you can go out and do it! And how appropriate on MLK day. Proably HS punks that didn't have to go to school yesterday with too much time on their hands.

Slimeballs....

[XXXII&III]

That's too bad.

The Broncos, or the NFL, whichever, sponsor NFL 101 for Women every year. You guys can laugh at it all you want, but it's awesome. They have various sessions throughout the day that are taught by players and/or coaches or others in-the-know. You're encouraged to ask questions and to talk to the instructors. (And get autographs & have pictures taken, too.) For example, I went to NFL 201 this fall and BVP taught offense, Foxworth and Jim Ryan taught defense, and Corome Cox did special teams. We also met Bowlen. and lots of other stuff occurred but I digress...

Ok, so at NFL 101 two years ago, Morelli was out here (for a MNF game) and was tapped to teach a session on officiating. He was extremely professional and intelligent and clearly knew his craft. He talked about the ethics involved in reffing and he talked about how the officials become qualified and are hired. I liked him a lot. And respect him, too.

That play sucked. He blew the call. He is in trouble with the NFL over it. But it wasn't intentional, and it wasn't stupidity on his part. Might have been blindness heh but anyway he sure didn't deserve to have his home vandalized.

[GonzoLays]

It had to be a Pittsburgh Steeler fan from Pittsburgh who found out the address of Morelli. Waffleboy, where were you the night of the incident? Oh, nevermind, I forgot you were working Ben Rothlisberger's groin. Good alibi.

[baja]

Was the play reviewed and called an illegal forward pass?

[Bronx33]

Hmmmmmmmm blowing an easy call or high school kids based on the fact hes a principle too? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

[BAM44]

Maybe everyone is blaming the wrong people. As a school principle, I'm sure he has some teenagers who are out to get him.

[Bronx33]

BURN the witch!

[XXXII&III]

I don't believe he is grossly incompetent and I don't believe he is a straight up cheater. I believe he blew a call.

Up until last weekend he had a reputation for being one of the better refs in the league.

[broncogary]

Originally Posted by BAM44

Maybe everyone is blaming the wrong people. As a school principle, I'm sure he has some teenagers who are out to get him.

Could he possibly be as bad a principal as he is a ref?

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by XXXII&III

I don't believe he is grossly incompetent and I don't believe he is a straight up cheater. I believe he blew a call.

Up until last weekend he had a reputation for being one of the better refs in the league.

It is possible he choked. Maybe he thought it might determine the game if he called it an int. so he figured Pitt's D should earn it. If professional players can choke, why not a ref?

[2KBack]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

Hmmmmmmmm blowing an easy call or high school kids based on the fact hes a principle too? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

I was thinking this as well, how many principals have been vandalized at one point or another? Could be a huge coincidence.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I have to say that in all my years of watching the NFL, that was without doubt the single WORST official's call I've ever seen. Not only was the call bogus, but the rule of thumb for video replay says that there has to be clear and undisputable evidence that the call on the field was wrong to get a reversal. No way was that the case. In fact the replay proved beyond doubt that the play was an interception, yet this idiot still gave the ball to the Colts. I couldn't believe my eyes. If I were prone to conspiracy theories this is the one play I'd have to say could make me believe something was rotten in Denmark.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by BroncoBuff1

It's hard to believe there's such big football fans in Stockton, California, but .... http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_3414865

Just to clarify, cowardly acts of vandalism in the middle of the night do not qualify you as a big football fan.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

"He's doing alright," Pereira said, adding that Morelli is not scheduled to work either of the conference championship games this weekend.

Uh, I reckon not!

[XXXII&III]

Lol that's funny

[ludo21]

OBviously a Steelers fan. BS crap like this is childish. Poor guy screwed up, imaagine if they lost for crying out loud.

[RMT]

Originally Posted by baja fan

Was the play reviewed and called an illegal forward pass?

No, I believe it was "illegal contact downtown."

[OrangeShadow]

its a shame but im not shocked

[BroncoBuff]

Originally Posted by XXXII&III

The Broncos, or the NFL, whichever, sponsor NFL 101 for Women every year. You guys can laugh at it all you want, but it's awesome. They have various sessions throughout the day that are taught by players and/or coaches or others in-the-know. You're encouraged to ask questions and to talk to the instructors. (And get autographs & have pictures taken, too.) For example, I went to NFL 201 this fall and BVP taught offense, Foxworth and Jim Ryan taught defense, and Corome Cox did special teams. We also met Bowlen. and lots of other stuff occurred but I digress...

Ok, so at NFL 101 two years ago, Morelli was out here (for a MNF game) and was tapped to teach a session on officiating. He was extremely professional and intelligent and clearly knew his craft. He talked about the ethics involved in reffing and he talked about how the officials become qualified and are hired. I liked him a lot. And respect him, too.

I heard about that Football 101 for women on ESPN a few years ago, sounds cool ... but was there beer?

Seriously though, did they charge admission?

[x123z]

I still can't see how he could have made that call.