Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason can’t control himself when he thinks he’s been wronged by the refs, and tonight it cost the Ravens against the Green Bay Packers.
In the fourth quarter, Mason caught a long pass that was called back for offensive pass interference. Although the call was correct, Mason was furious, and he got in the face of the side judge who called the penalty.
It’s not clear exactly what Mason said, but whatever it was, it made the side judge call another penalty on Mason for unsportsmanlike conduct. (The side judge’s reaction was amusing, as he reached for his flag, realized he had already thrown it, and then threw his hat instead.)
[Editor’s note: Based on my low-end lip-reading skills, Mason seemed to say, “What the f--k was that, man?” Or maybe Mason asked the official if they could sweep together.]
The two penalties backed the Ravens deep into their own territory, and after a subsequent punt the Packers took advantage of a short field to score a quick touchdown, taking a 24-14 lead.
For Mason, who also got called for unsportsmanlike conduct for a run-in with an official last month against the Broncos, it’s time to learn to walk away when he doesn’t like the officials’ calls. The appropriate response to an official calling a penalty is not to do something to cause him to call another penalty.