NFL apologizes to Bucs for Kellen Winslow pass interference call

TAMPA - It won't do them any good now, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received a written apology from the NFL for Sunday's pass interference call against tight end Kellen Winslow.

Winslow was called for interference on a fourth-quarter play in which he jostled with safety C.C. Brown in the end zone before reaching up and grabbing what appeared to be a touchdown pass from quarterback Josh Freeman. The call nullified the touchdown leaving the Bucs with third-and-goal at the Lions 12, which they failed to convert.

Tampa Bay kicked a 30-yard field goal to tie the game at 17 in what proved to be a 23-20 overtime loss.

Had the touchdown stood, the Bucs could have added the extra point for a four-point lead.

Bucs coach Raheem Morris refused to comment on the letter from the league, but offensive coordinator Greg Olson said it wasn't the first time this season the Bucs have received such a letter.

"Yeah, we've had a number of those this year, which has been real discouraging because we've played so many tight games," said Olson, who did not elaborate on the other letters the team has received.

"You can't have those kinds of mistakes. That's discouraging, obviously. It wasn't the only play in the game, but it was a critical one at a critical time. That's happened more than once, which has been discouraging on our side."

Click here to order Kellen Winslow’s proCane Rookie Card.



(tbo.com)