All of us have probably made rule mistakes in our careers.
There's a high probability that that mistake was on Rule 10.
In our chapter, aprox. 80% of mistakes were on Rule 10 (not calling a 5 yd. penalty a 15, but screwing up basic spot).
In my career, I've had such goofs...one that had a happy ending, but could have haunted me was :
Playoff game - mid 1990's - visitors ball @ 50 ,4 point lead, 3 & 11 w/3:00 to go............
(1) Visitor's QB is scrambling back around A's 40 when he's grabbed by facemask (15).
(2) LJ & I have
and beanbag spot.
(3) QB fumbles
(4) Big ole' D-lineman scoops up fumble and gallops for
.
(5) Home fans/band/cheerleaders/players/coaches go wild
...until they spot the
.
(6) Being the messenger of bad news, I went to the beanbags, gave the signals, handed ball to sNiCkErSU who paced ball off to B's 45 = 3 & 6.
(7) On the next play the visitors gained 8 = 1st down = ran out the clock to win
.....a football story with a happy ending
On the drive home, I had an "news flash"
...loose ball behind the line = previous spot enforcement = creating a new series @ B's35
The following Summer, at the coach/official meetings , I explained my goof. Neither coach involved realized that there was a screw-up, but the visiting coach said ; "You're
lucky we got a first down
". - If they hadn't, the football story would have a sad ending - for me
A very wise Man once said : "May thou who has never sinned throw the first stone."