NFL Fans Baffled as Ravens’ Lamar Jackson Tripped by Official During Safety vs. 49ers
Erin WalshDecember 26, 2023
Loren Elliott/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers had an extra defender on the field for a play during the first quarter of Monday night’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens—well, sort of.
With 10:24 remaining in the first quarter, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson dropped back to pass and was under pressure immediately, so he retreated all the way to the end zone and took an intentional grounding safety after he tripped over an official who had fallen.
NFL @NFLWho had this on their bingo card?
📺: #BALvsSF on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/pkwa8SXokx pic.twitter.com/zVUYSIOT5N
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLamar tripped over a ref in the end zone which forced a safety 👀 pic.twitter.com/2TnuKf4xPA
The safety gave the 49ers an early 2-0 lead and Jake Moody tacked on a field goal on the team’s next drive to put San Francisco up 5-0.
It marks one of the weirdest plays of the 2023 NFL season, and while some blamed Jackson for retreating too far, others were quick to blame the official for getting in the way of the action:
Jerry Bembry @JerrybembryRavens 3, Niners 3, officials 2. #NFL https://t.co/tXaTZ7hXXx
Sarah Ellison @sgellisonThe ref literally lost his footing and tripped Lamar Jackson. This is a new low for NFL officials. What else was Lamar supposed to do?
Emerson Lotzia, Jr. @EmersonLotziathe ref after tripping lamar in the end zone and causing a safety pic.twitter.com/zpMj2prSLG
Jack McGuire @JackMacCFBNice. Ref tackles Lamar Jackson and it’s a safety. Checks out.
AND NOW HES SMILING.
SEND HIM TO THE GULAG ROGER.
Kevin Oestreicher @koestreicher34No way the referee just tripped Lamar Jackson and they call it as grounding and a safety in the end zone
PPRFantasyTips @PPRFantasyTipsThe REF JUST TRIPPED LAMAR JACKSON. The ref just caused the Ravens 2 points.
I’VE NEVER SEEN THAT IN MY LIFE. MY GOD.
Lane Henkins @LHenkins4If the #Ravens lose by 2 they can 100% blame that on the refs because the one fell and caused Lamar to trip and not get the throw off right 😂😂
Mas @masonbiznesThe ref looking at Lamar Jackson in the end zone #BALvsSF pic.twitter.com/6XaQAGRphI
Big Easy Bets🎙 @BigEasyBetsI’ve never seen that in my life.
The officials falls like an old man in the bathroom… then trips Lamar for a safety😂
Football Analysis @FBallAnalysisYTThe ref getting in Lamar’s way really cost the Ravens a safety huh
Ralph Rich @I_am_AwaThe official tackling Lamar in the endzone and then calling grounding is INSANE
Tony X @soIoucitywhen you have the niners -6.5 pic.twitter.com/SwZ5wusaCk
Both the Ravens and 49ers have already locked up playoff spots, but they’re still fighting for the No. 1 seed in their respective conferences, hence why there was plenty of frustration on the Baltimore side of things after the play.
Whichever team wins Monday’s matchup will improve to 12-3 and position themselves to secure a first-round bye.
Ok