Morning sports update
ESPN released an official statement denying the ball hit the wire.
Jaquan Brisker intercepts Mac Jones in the Bears’ win over the Patriots. Replays later appeared to show Jones’ throw deviating slightly from an ESPN SkyCam feed. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
The Bruins defeated the Stars 3-1 on Tuesday. Boston returns Thursday (7 p.m.) to face the Red Wings at TD Garden.
The Celtics are out until Friday’s home game against the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m.
An interception with (light) SkyCam assistance: Turns out, there was more to one of the key plays in the Patriots’ 33-14 loss to the Bears on Monday night than initially seemed to be the case.
Mac Jones, returning from an ankle injury to start against Chicago, threw what turned out to be a late-night interception in the second quarter. Jones was taken out of the match after the turnover in favor of substitute Bailey Zappe.
But upon closer examination, it emerged that Jones’ throw on the interception was subtly deflected by a wire for ESPN SkyCam.
The moment was originally reported by a Buffalo Bills fan on Twitterwith Pro Football Focus’ Doug Kyed also sharing a video of what appeared to be the ball hitting the wire.
It’s impossible to know exactly how much football’s trajectory would have changed without hitting the wire – and whether it would still have been intercepted.
Still, if officials had noticed, it would have been a simple decision, canceling the interception.
“If a loose ball in play hits a video card, guidewire, celestial camera, or other object, the ball will be immediately dead and the down will be replayed at the previous location,” notes the NFL rulebook on the subject.
The fact that the game ended in a turnover meant Bill Belichick couldn’t just challenge the decision either (as scores and turnovers are automatically reviewed).
Instead, it fell to the replay manager to call for a review of the stand.
“If there is no decision on the court indicating that the ball has struck an object, the replay official has the authority to initiate a review of the cabin, even if the event occurs before the warning of two minutes,” reads the rules. “If, prior to the two-minute warning, no cabin review is initiated by the replay official, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the rules established for such a challenge.”
Given the almost imperceptible contact the ball seemed to have with the wire, the incident was missed during the match proper.
Update: ESPN released a statement on the matter, denying that football had touched the SkyCam feed.
“That pass from Mac Jones did not touch ESPN’s SkyCam wiring. This video creates the wrong impression, but in reality the SkyCam wire was over 15 feet above the ball and our SkyCam system was following all the NFL protocols.
Anecdotes: Who was the Red Sox’s most recent Cy Young Award winner?
(Answer below.)
Hint: He was a member of the most recent Red Sox World Series winner.
More on boston.com:
A satisfying one-timer from David Pastrnak: The 26-year-old found the far corner of the net in the Bruins’ win.
On this day: In 2014, the Patriots’ game with the Bears went slightly better than it did on Monday. New England won 51-23, with Rob Gronkowski snarling for a 46-yard touchdown in the third quarter to add an exclamation point.
daily highlight: Benfica’s Rafa Silva executed a smart finish in Tuesday’s 4-3 win over Juventus in the Champions League.
Quiz Answer: Rick Porcello
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