'85 Chronology-Play It Again

Event Date: March 7th, 1985

Event Description: USFL Uses Replay

Source: UPI

The United States Football League will use televised instant replays to appeal officials' calls in all its games broadcast on ABC or ESPN, USFL Commissioner Chet Simmons said Tuesday.

“We have been pleased with the use of instant replay in our first two ABC games and are now prepared to extend its usage,” Simmons said of the league's experiment with replays to judge disputed calls by officials on the field.

In the two games, three appeals were made -- one by the Generals in the Feb. 24 New Jersey-Birmingham contest and one each by the Express and Gamblers and in the March 3rd Philadelphia-Michigan game. The officials were upheld in each case.

“Actually this is what we expected,” Simmons said. “Our officials are going to be correct more than 90 percent of the time. The use of instant replay comes into the picture on those rare occasions when an official is screened or may simply miss a call. A call will only be reversed in a very clear cut situation.”

A team may make one appeal per half on situations involving a fumble, whether a pass has been completed or whether the ball has penetrated the goal line.

The appeal must be made by the team's head coach before the next snap or free kick. The referee calls a timeout while an official in the press box reviews the replay and rules on the appeal.

If their appeal is overruled, the team loses a timeout.

Story-(UPI Modified)