Pete Morelli

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Pete Morelli (born 1952) is an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) since 1997. Morelli began as a field judge (later a back judge when the league swapped position names in 1998) and was promoted to referee with the start of the 2003 NFL season following the retirements of Dick Hantak and Bob McElwee. He wears the uniform number 135. Morelli was assigned Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 as a field judge.

Morelli's 2006 NFL officiating crew consists of Darrell Jenkins, George Hayward, Chuck Stewart, Jim Saracino, Jeff Lamberth, and Don Dorkowski.

[edit] Polamalu Interception Controversy

Morelli made headlines after a controversial call during the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indianapolis Colts divisional playoff game on January 15, 2006.

In the fourth quarter, the Steelers' Troy Polamalu appeared to intercept a Peyton Manning pass, a play that many felt would have secured the game for the Steelers with only 5:26 left in regulation. The television announcers felt it was an interception, but upon review, Morelli overturned the ruling on the field. This set up a Colts touchdown (and two-point conversion) and nearly resulted in a Colts comeback if not for The Tackle II.

Steelers linebacker Joey Porter claimed that the referees were conspiring against his team, hoping to give the Colts the victory ^[1].

A day after the game, on January 16, the NFL released a statement confirming that Polamalu made the interception ^[2], refuting the overturn call of Morelli. The NFL also opted not to fine Porter for criticizing an official's call ^[3].

On January 19, the media announced that following the football game on Sunday, Morelli's home in Stockton, California had been vandalized after someone threw a rock through his front window. Authorities were unable to tell whether the event was linked to the call in the game, or related to Morelli's other job as a school principal ^[4].

[edit] References

1. ^ Porter on refs: 'I felt they were cheating us'. ESPN.com (2006-01-17). Retrieved on 2006-09-09.
2. ^ NFL: Polamalu overturned interception the wrong call. ESPN.com (2006-01-17). Retrieved on 2006-09-09.
3. ^ Porter won't be fined for comments on refs. ESPN.com (2006-01-17). Retrieved on 2006-09-09.
4. ^ NFL official's home vandalized after Steelers call. ESPN.com (2006-01-19). Retrieved on 2006-09-09.