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Dean Blandino was caught on a hot mic admitting to a mistake made by the officials in Saturday’s XFL game between the Seattle Sea Dragons and Orlando Guardians.
On the play in question, Orlando was leading 10-6 with possession of the ball with 30 seconds remaining before halftime. Facing a fourth-down situation at Seattle's 40-yard line, the Guardians were called for a false start penalty on lineman T.J. Storment, which led the to a 4th-and-10 punt.
While explaining the play, Blandino appeared to be caught on a hot mic admitting the officials were in the wrong for their flag.
Blandino, head of officiating for the XFL, said that despite movement from the defensive line, Orlando was called for a false start because the movement happened on the opposite side of the line.
A hot mic appeared to catch XFL VP (officiating and playing rules innovation) Dean Blandino saying "We actually screwed that up," shortly after he explained a call on the ABC broadcast. pic.twitter.com/rHdi0bw0Oi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 25, 2023
After Blandino offered his explanation, ABC showed back the play in question. Commentator Joey Galloway observed that linemen on both sides of the line seemed to jump. His implication was that the defense should have been called for a penalty.
After Galloway pointed out the disconnect, Blandino could be heard saying “we actually screwed that up” before his microphone was shut off.
Seattle ended up winning the game 26-19, meaning that the botched call could theoretically have helped to swing the final outcome.
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