Comcast SportsNet cameras recorded Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan chasing a replacement official in the tunnel after Sunday’s 38-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and unleashing a profane rant.
Shanahan was upset about being penalized for trying to correct the officials.
Shanahan, the son of Washington head coach Mike Shanahan, was whistled for berating an official as the Redskins were attempting to drive for a tying touchdown, the Associated Press reported. After the Redskins drove to the Cincinnati 19 yard line, Robert Griffin III was sacked and then spiked the ball with 7 seconds remaining at Cincinnati's 34-yard line. Then tight end Fred Davis was called for a false start as the offense lined up for the next play.
At least one official apparently indicated there would be a 10-second runoff because of the penalty, which would run out the clock. Cincinnati's coaches and players along the sideline then walked onto the field, thinking the game was over.
“When I overheard the official tell the head coach that the game was over after the false start penalty, I tried to explain that the game was not over,” Kyle Shanahan said in a statement. “That is what resulted in the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. I tried to get an explanation of how I could get that penalty when half of the other team was on the field as well.”
Add that 15 yards to the 5 yards for Davis’s penalties and the officials somehow got 25 yards, placing the ball back at the Washington 41 instead of the 46 for a last chance play at third-and-50.
Afterward, Shanahan confronted an official. Comcast SportsNet posted video without audio due to the coach’s profanity:
“I was frustrated, and in the process of trying to get some answers from the officials, I conducted myself in the wrong way,” his statement read. “I ask our players to hold themselves to a high standard and be accountable and I know that I’m accountable for my actions as well.
“I know that I need to handle those situations better in the future. My emotions got the best of me and I know it’s my responsibility. This will never happen again.”
NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson is looking at Shanahan’s actions, the AP reported.
