Controversial NFL Ref placed on Standby

NFL Commissioner
Roger Goodell

With the likelihood of the Seattle Seahawks winning the playoffs (and playing in the 2014 Superbowl), NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Bill Leavy has been put on standby to be the Head Referee at Superbowl XLVIII should the Seahawks win the NFC championship.

"Seattle is doing well" Goodell said in a press conference. "We have told Bill to be ready for the possibility of the Seahawks making it to the Superbowl a second time."

Bill Leavy is best know as the referee who's erroneous calls resulted in Seattle's 21-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006. Leavy's erroneous call were:

• Receiver Darrell Jackson was called for offensive pass interference during a play, in which he caught a Matt Hasselbeck pass in the end zone. Seattle settled for a field goal instead of a 7-0 lead.
• The Seahawks appeared to have stopped Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the goal-line plane on his 1-yard score late in the first half that gave the Steelers a 7-3 lead. Leavy upheld the call after a replay review.
• Early in the fourth quarter, tackle Sean Locklear was called for holding on a pass completion that would have put the Seahawks at the Pittsburgh 1, poised for the go-ahead touchdown. After the penalty, Hasselbeck threw an interception.
• Hasselbeck was called for an illegal low block and given a 15-yard penalty on a tackle after the interception.

There were claims that Leavy had wagered on the game (a violation of NFL policy) against Seattle. Leavy was investigated, and cleared, of any illegality regarding his erroneous call by a Justice Department investigation. In the report to the Joint Congressional Subcommittee on Bogus Calls by Sport's Officials, the chief investigator stated that "stupidity and poor eye sight are not criminal offences."



Former Pittsburgh Steeler QB
Terry Bradshaw

Fearing possible retaliation from disgruntled Seattle fans, Steelers head coach Bill Cowher and Pittsburgh's mayor Bob O'Connor employed former quarterback Terry Bradshaw to serve as an ambassador to Seattle shortly after the game. Bradshaw visit the Puget Sound area for several days, meeting with Seattle residence and Seahawk fans. After meeting with several fans, including one who identified herself as "Erica," Bradshaw was able to redirect hostility from the Steelers and the Pittsburgh area to the offending referee, Bill Leavy.

Leavy received numerous death threats after Super Bowl XL, predominantly from the Pacific Northwest area. A number of  threats, sign by someone identifying herself as "Erica," threatened Leavy with various modes of death, the manner of which were all described as "slow and excruciatingly painful". As a result of these threats, Leavy was force to go into hiding. He lived in hiding for several years as part of a witness relocation program, until his location was discovered by disgruntled Seahawk fans.

"Upon reflection" stated Alan Smith (Department of Justice's Witness Relocation Program director, "I guess Wenatchee Washington was not the best location we could have come up with to send Mr. Leavy."

An FBI investigation was able to trace the "Erica" letters to Eastern Washington, but was unable to identify the person (or persons) sending the threats. No arrests were made, and the case is still unsolved.

Leavy eventually apologized in 2010 for his calls

Bill Leavy

"It was a tough thing for me. I kicked two calls in the fourth quarter and I impacted the game, and as an official you never want to do that. It left me with a lot of sleepless nights, and I think about it constantly. I'll go to my grave wishing that I'd been better.... I know that I did my best at that time, but it wasn't good enough.... When we make mistakes, you got to step up and own them. It's something that all officials have to deal with, but unfortunately when you have to deal with it in the Super Bowl it's difficult." 

A spokesperson for the Seahawk Fans of Eastern Washington (Moses Lake chapter), who identified herself as Erica (but not "that" Erica) said that his apology "was not good enough. Leavy needs to die a slow and excruciatingly painful death."

Head of Leavy's security team

Leavy has been taken to an undisclosed location, and is currently under 24 hour protection of U.S.Marshalls. If Seattle goes to the Super Bowl, the Marshalls will escort him to New Jersey for the game. Already, the at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J. has been checked, and remains under surveillance in the event that an attempt is made against Leavy.

Asked if he was adequately protected, the head of the U.S.Marshall unit responsible for Leavy safety (who identified herself as "Erica") stated that all possible security precautions had been taken.

"He is quite safe under our protection. He will not be executed in any slow and excruciatingly painful manner."