Darrell Davis: Getting calls wrong in the CFL

The CFL has again botched its ability to get the call right.

Get the call right! It’s the rally cry for everybody who wants video review in sports. Coaches, players and managers in the Canadian Football League repeat it whenever they try to justify the use of video review.

The mantra usually comes loudest from CFL vice-president Glen Johnson, who just admitted that one of his video review officials again made a mistake while reviewing a video challenge.

During a playoff game, Edmonton defensive end Odell Willis hit Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros after the latter had thrown a pass. According to the standard set all season by its on-field officials, Willis should have been penalized for roughing the passer. No penalty flag was thrown, so Hamilton quarterback Kent Austin challenged the call.

After watching the video review, somehow the guy responsible decided it wasn’t a penalty. That same guy earlier this season botched a call so badly that Johnson admitted it was a mistake.

If they’re not getting the call right after video review, there’s really no sense in having video review.