Official Suspended: Slow Response on Fumble

The National Football League has suspended, at least through this weekend, the instant-replay official whose failure to act quickly on Jerry Rice’s fumble Oct. 8 gave San Francisco an unwarranted touchdown.

Gaylord Bryan made what the league called a “procedural error” in not determining whether to study the play “in a timely fashion.”

Commissioner Pete Rozelle will review Bryan’s situation and decide whether any further action should be taken. Bill Barron, the communicator in the booth responsible for contact with the field officials, was not disciplined.

“They miss calls every day,” said Eddie DeBartolo Jr., the 49ers’ owner. “Everybody’s entitled to a mistake. If everybody’s perfect, it wouldn’t be any fun.”

Bryan was in the replay booth when Rice appeared to fumble at the New Orleans one-yard line. The 49er receiver appeared ready to spike the ball, which fell out of his hand and went out of the end zone. According to NFL rules, the ball should have been awarded to the Saints at the point of the fumble. Before Bryan called for a review, however, the 49ers kicked the extra point, and Bryan and Barron let the touchdown stand.