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Ref tries to explain the blatant facemask no-call on Rams safety vs Vikings

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Byron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams makes the tackle against Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings for a safety in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151432 ORIG FILE ID: 2180897188
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Byron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams makes the tackle against Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings for a safety in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151432 ORIG FILE ID: 2180897188

It was the call that just about every saw in real time and shouted "THAT'S A FACEMASK PENALTY!!" at their screens.

Sam Darnold was sacked in the Los Angeles Rams' end zone by Byron Young for a safety, but refs didn't throw a flag for a facemask. So what the heck happened?

Per Calvin Watkins, referee Tra Blake had this to say: "Well, on that play, the quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me so I did not have a good look at it. ... The umpire had players between him and the quarterback, so he did not get a look at it. He was block out as well."

He added that the officiating crew talked about it, but it's not reviewable. Which is ironic, as you'll see below:

Just brutal.

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ref tries to explain the blatant facemask no-call on Rams safety vs Vikings