The "dreaded IW"...

...better known as the inadvertent whistle.

National television, huge game, Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers on NBC Sunday Night game with John Madden and Al Michaels. Peyton Manning, XLI Super Bowl MVP, LaDianian Tomlinson, arguably, one of the best running backs ever. How much bigger can it get, short of the Super Bowl?

Then it happens: A pass thrown toward the end zone by San Diego’s Phillip Rivers for intended receiver Vincent Jackson pops off Colts’ defender Gary Brackett into the air, off the hand of Colts’ Antoine Bethea, onto the leg of a now fallen Colts’ Brackett, onto the other leg, to be finally scooped up by Colts’ Clint Session before the ball strikes the ground. Session turns and follows the lead of Colts’ Bob Sanders all the way to the Chargers’ end zone.

Trouble on the field

Back at the Colts’ end zone, several officials are huddling. Seems there was a whistle following the interception. Could it have been an inadvertent whistle?

Yes. It was an inadvertent whistle. Yes. In a nationally televised game on the big stage of NBC on Sunday Night, an NFL referee has just committed what most football officials feel is the biggest mistake you can make at any level.

Continued...