NFL Controversy: Five Rules for Assigning Asterisks to History's Biggest Debates

The term “asterisk” has almost reached institutional levels in sports. You don’t want that little red mark anywhere near your favorite teams or players, and its presence can detonate vicious debate.

But what are fair conditions? Each asterisk in history has a slightly different flavor. Let’s examine some of the most famous by distilling the core element of the debate and deciding whether assigning the red devil-star is fair.

The Tuck Rule Game: Ignorance Is No Defense of the Law

Go to about the 3:30 mark

One of the essences of an asterisk is when fans feel that something was out of “the spirit of the game.” But as Walter Sobchak reminds us: There are rules; this isn’t ‘Nam. As much as Raider fans will want to point to the replay and say “You tell me that isn’t a f-ing fumble!"—it’s not. The officials interpreted the rule correctly (Phil Simms even points out the rule as they're showing replays.). 

The problem is, no honest Patriot fan could watch the replay and say, “No way does that look like a fumble!” That’s what keeps the debate going: Raider fans know this.

But rules are rules. Ignorance is no defense of the law. And the officials got the call correct—however terrible the rule really was.

Verdict: No asterisk

The 49ers’s 2002 Playoff Comeback over the Giants: Wrong Call

Go to about the 8:50 mark

As a Niner fan, I must admit this was hard to swallow. But honesty is required. On the last play of the game, Rich Seubert, normally a guard, was an intended receiver on a botched field goal. Not only was he hacked for uncalled pass interference, but he was called for being an ineligible receiver. Both were shown in replays to be incorrect. 

The Giants should have had a second attempt at a field goal (Which they likely would have hit, since it was from the three-yard line.).

The official got the calls wrong, and the Niners won the game. 

Verdict: Asterisk

Music City Miracle: The Groin Kick Reasoning

After much debate, NFL officials and geometry teachers alike agreed Frank Wycheck’s pass was, in fact, a lateral. This doesn’t stop many—most from Buffalo—from wanting to disbelieve, seeing what they want on the replays and saying that the Bills were screwed.

Sour grapes. Just because you want something to be wrong, doesn’t mean it is. The difference was razor thin—like one of those razors they use to do delicate eye surgeries—but this was a legal play, as much as it hurts.

Verdict: No asterisk

Washington Redskins ’82 Super Bowl Victory: The Extenuating Circumstances

Nick Laham/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 30: Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs walks from the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2007 at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The season was shortened to nine games by a player strike. Sixteen out of 28 teams made the playoffs, two with losing records. You could easily make the argument that the ’82 ‘Skins didn’t work nearly as hard as the ’87 or ’91 squads that played full seasons and won Super Bowls. “But!” Redskins fans respond. “Every other team that year had the same conditions!”

That’s true. And if the NFL only played for one year, you’d have a point. But compared to the other 44 Super Bowl champions, the '82 squad had a different path in winning that ring. You have to note when extenuating circumstances change the complexion of the league and game.

Verdict: Asterisk

Immaculate Reception: The Hung Jury

First of all, who would have thought cameramen would be responsible for one of the fiercest debates in NFL history? On every angle of the Immaculate Reception's replays, if the camera is a teeeeeeny bit downward, to the right or to the left or if the goal post doesn't get in the way, we can see whether the ball hit the ground.

Nope.

And because we have no conclusive evidence, for posterity’s sake, we can’t rob Pittsburgh. You have to go with the official’s word and the call has to stand. There are rules, Smokey.

Verdict: No asterisk

(Though, it is worth noting that in all the NFL Films interviews, the Raiders players—who were actually on the field—are still infuriated, and the Steelers players are kind of like, “Yeah man, for sure. It was the right call…for sure, man.”) 

Asterisk Rules: In Summary

Handout/Getty Images

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - FEBRUARY 07: In this handout photo provided by Disney, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers takes a celebratory ride with Mickey Mouse, following the Green Bay Packers' 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Februa

• If an official correctly interprets a rule, no matter how idiotic that rule may be: No asterisk.
• If an official incorrectly interprets a rule or misses a call: Asterisk.
• If the argument is centered off emotion, not reasoning and evidence: No asterisk.
• If the game or league format changes temporarily as a result of strange circumstances: Asterisk.
• If there is no conclusive evidence to refute the officials, the calls stands: No asterisk.

Oh yeah. And when you talk about a team or a player with an asterisk, don't do that annoying hand motion where you draw a star in the air. That's worse than air quotes. People usually know what an asterisk looks like.

[Follow Caleb on  Twitter or Bleacher Report if you want more musings. He also wrote a book called The St George's Angling Club which you can buy on Amazon.]