Testaverde Touches Down Short but It Counts

On a day when he nearly wore out his arm, Vinny Testaverde used his legs to lift the New York Jets to a wild comeback victory. And in this season of officiating bobbles, Testaverde got a kind boost from the head linesman.

Actually, it was more like a gift.

“People told me it looked like it wasn’t in,” Testaverde said after his five-yard sneak on fourth down with 20 seconds left Sunday was ruled a touchdown, giving the Jets a 32-31 decision over the Seattle Seahawks. “I got knocked around and sometimes you can’t see the refs. There were a lot of questions whether I was in or not, which is all the more reason for instant replay.”

Television replays showed he didn’t reach the end zone.

“It makes you sick,” Seahawk Coach Dennis Erickson said. After being informed what the replay indicated, he added, “It makes you even sicker.”

The Jets’ AFC East championship hopes are healthy thanks to the last-minute call. Testaverde called his own number after throwing a career-high 63 times, completing 42 for 418 yards and two touchdowns.

And head linesman Earnie Frantz immediately signaled the AFC’s leading passer had won the game with his run.

“He called it right away and signaled,” said referee Phil Luckett, who also conducted the now-infamous coin toss on Thanksgiving at Detroit. “There was a pileup, but the head linesman had already called a touchdown for the ball breaking the plane [of the goal line].”

However, there was nearly a minute of consultation before a final ruling was made.

Seahawk cornerback Shawn Springs, whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing his helmet after the touchdown, wondered if the officials had been “intimidated.”

“The refs should really let the players decide the game,” Springs said. “Don’t make a call that determines the outcome.”

It was the Jets’ sixth consecutive home victory and kept them tied with Miami atop the AFC East at 9-4. The Jets committed three turnovers, but had the moxie to overcome them.

“That’s certainly many more passes than I’ve thrown in a game,” Testaverde said. “I hope there aren’t many games like this, where I have to throw 60 times.”

Testaverde completed nine passes to Keyshawn Johnson for 114 yards and the touchdown that closed the Jets to 31-26. He calmly led them downfield on their final drive, and hurt the playoff hopes of the Seahawks (6-7).

The Jets got in position to win by driving to the three. Rookie tackle Jason Fabini’s motion penalty pushed them back and the Jets were faced with a fourth down from the five when Testaverde ran behind center Kevin Mawae for the touchdown that looked as if it wasn’t.