By now, everybody has heard about "the call" during the Ravens-Patriots game. Ravens linebacker Suggs barely brushed Tom Brady's leg, and he was called for a personal foul for a low hit on the quarterback.

The penalty highlighted a larger problem with some NFL referees: Star players get preferential treatment.

On that particular play, Brady lobbied for the penalty by immediately pointing to the nearest referee, as if he were demanding a flag to be thrown.

Guess what? He got what he asked for.

There are a handful of big stars in the NFL who have such influence over referees' decisions, but none more influential than the league's biggest star, Tom Brady.

In most cases, as it did Sunday, it unfairly affects the outcomes of games. That particular penalty may have cost the Ravens the game.

As a fan of the NFL, it is sickening to see players like Brady have any such power over the referees. And yet, it happens on a regular basis.

The Ravens defensive players' reactions to the penalty were quite understandable. This is a sport for grown men, and it certainly isn't flag football.

So, as Rodney Harrison suggested, please take the skirts off of the quarterbacks and turn this into a man's game again.