Twitter Reacts to Controversial Roughing the Passer Call in 49ers-Seahawks Game

The penalty overturned a pick-six that would’ve put the 49ers up 28–6.

Roughing the passer calls have drawn the ire of many fans this NFL season, and one in the “Thursday Night Football” matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks sparked a similar reaction.

49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir picked off Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in the third quarter and ran the ball for a score, just one minute after the 49ers had scored another touchdown to go up 21–3.

However, the TD was quickly overturned due to a suspect roughing the passer penalty called on San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa.

The NFL world seemingly agreed that the call wasn’t warranted on this play, which allowed the Seahawks to hold onto the ball. Seattle ended up settling for a field goal on the drive.

The reaction on Twitter was all-too-familiar, as similar comments from controversial roughing the passer calls this season have become commonplace. Here’s a look at some of the reaction.

THIS IS NOT ROUGHING THE PASSER pic.twitter.com/xL4e68IDf4

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 16, 2022

Another week, another ridiculous roughing the passer penalty. This time on Nick Bosa.

This is just dumb.https://t.co/fAlJX0jLCK

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 16, 2022

On one hand, Nick Bosa took Geno Smith down using the form you’re taught the first week of practice at every level of football. On the other, this is the NFL. https://t.co/g5Bs7f9aV0

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 16, 2022

There's gonna be a playoff game decided by these dopey incompetent refs calling a ridiculous roughing the passer penalty. And we have to hope that happens because that might be the only way to get the rule changed.

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) December 16, 2022

I’d like to be employed by the NFL as THE replay official for all roughing the passer penalties. Put me in NY. I wouldn’t get a call wrong! @nflcommish

— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) December 16, 2022

This roughing the passer call erased a 49ers pick six pic.twitter.com/kTOnjjfXnI

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 16, 2022

Oh man. We’re going to have to stop calling it “tackle” football.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 16, 2022

What do defenders have to do to not get a roughing the passer call? Whip out a pillow for the QB to land on?

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 16, 2022

You can't take a TD off the board for THAT, man. Disgusting.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) December 16, 2022

BOOOOO HISSSSSS weak ass roughing!

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) December 16, 2022

I think that was a "I feel sorry for you" call by the refs for the Seahawks.

— 12th Man Rising (@12thMan_Rising) December 16, 2022

How the f$&k is that roughing the passer

— Mark Schlereth (@markschlereth) December 16, 2022

Despite the penalty, Bosa ended up becoming the NFL’s leader in sacks this season with 15.5 during Thursday’s game, per ESPN Stats & Info.