By now you’re probably pretty familar with the latest NFL controversy. The Saints were not happy with the referees during the final minutes of the fourth quarter in their NFC Championship matchup against the Rams on Sunday.

With the score tied at 20 and the ball in the red zone, quarterback Drew Brees threw the ball down the sideline to Tommylee Lewis. 

The wide receiver, however, was knocked down by Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman and failed to catch the pass.

Robey-Coleman appeared to make contact with Lewis before the ball arrive, but the referees did not call a penalty. The Saints ended up kicking a field goal and the Rams answered with one of their own to force overtime.

Referee Bill Vinovich described the non-penalty as a “judgment call by the officials” when he spoke with a pool reporter after the game. He also said he had not seen the play.

Referee Gary Cavaletto did the see the play. 

Apparently he swallowed his whistle. 

Here’s his Bio below: 

Gary Cavaletto has made his mark as a premiere official at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. Cavaletto began officiating locally with the Channel Coast Officials Association in 1978 and since that time has risen to the elite crews of the National Football League.

Cavaletto has dedicated 10 years as a baseball umpire, with six years at the Division I level ; 24 years as a basketball referee, with five years at Division I; and 27 years officiating football, five of those in Division I and working five NCAA Division I bowl games. He spent four years in the Canadian Football League and was the first American to ever officiate the CFL Grey Cup Championship in 1996.In 1997, Cavaletto began seven years in the Arena Football League, and worked the 2002 Arena Bowl Championship game.

Cavaletto spent four years in the NFL European league and one year in the XFL. In 2003 Cavaletto entered the ranks of NFL officials. He has officiated football in 28 states and six foreign countries.A 1973 graduate of Bishop Diego Garcia High School, Cavaletto played football , basketball and baseball. He played baseball for Hancock College from 1974-75 and was the second draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in 1975 .

He played for three years in their organization.Cavaletto currently lives in Santa Barbara working for his family ‘s farming business. He and JoAnn, his wife of 28 years, have three children, Marci , Andrea and Danny and one grandchild, Dylan. His presenter this evening will be Allen Williams.

Check out this tweet below: 

https://twitter.com/RVargasAdvocate/status/1087149338223144962

Looks like the other official even played for the Rams. 

Terrible optics for the NFL. 

Like usual.