After a recent debacle between Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL officiating crew, the NFL is considering a change to the language required during the coin toss.
Currently, the team that wins the coin toss must clearly indicate that they want to “receive” the football or “defer” to the second half. If the word “defer” is not used properly, it could result in the winning team kicking the ball in the first and second half.
During a game against the Los Angeles Rams, Dak Prescott told NFL official Welt Anderson that the Cowboys wanted “defense.” He followed by pointing toward the Rams’ endzone and saying, “kicking it that way.” To clarify his decision, Anderson asked for confirmation, and Prescott responded, “We defer to the second half.” Unfortunately, Anderson didn’t hear the word “defer,” and responded, “Okay, you’re going to kick.”
The NFL reviewed the video footage in New York and eventually overturned Anderson’s ruling that the Rams will receive in the first and second half.
Some people argue that simplifying the language required during the coin flip will help to ensure a mix-up like this never occurs again. This offseason, the NFL’s competition committee will discuss and review alternative possibilities, perhaps not requiring the word “defer” anymore.