Eagles Fans Irate After Devonta Smith’s Apparent Catch Ruled Incomplete Following Review

The swing may have cost Philadelphia four points.

Football is a game of inches, rarely more so than in the Super Bowl.

Facing second-and-one on the Chiefs‘ 48-yard line, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts appeared to hit wide receiver Devonta Smith for an incredible catch. The 35-yard gain would’ve given Philadelphia first-and-10 on the Kansas City 13 with a minute to play in the first half and the Eagles nursing a 21–14 lead.

Omg what a play by DeVonta Smith, if it stands.

Might be another big pass play by Jalen Hurts.

Do you think it's a catch or not?https://t.co/PzAhHv1ZtU

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 13, 2023

Instead, the play was overturned after a lengthy replay review, with officials ruling the ball hit the ground before Smith could maintain control.

The play marked a significant swing, halting a potential kill shot from Philadelphia in its tracks and forcing the Eagles to settle for a 35-yard field goal by kicker Jake Elliott at the buzzer.

Predictably, the reversal drew outrage from Eagles fans and mixed reactions throughout the NFL.

You cannot say with 100% certainty that was not a catch by DeVonta. Bullshit.

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) February 13, 2023

Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy weighed in:

🫢 that’s a catch man

— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) February 13, 2023

Longtime wide receiver Golden Tate agreed:

Several football moves were made before he got to the ground. I don’t understand how that was not a catch.

— Golden Tate (@ShowtimeTate) February 13, 2023

So, too, did Cardinals wide receiver Hollywood Brown:

That’s a catch smh

— Hollywood Brown (@Primetime_jet) February 13, 2023

With the NFL’s catch rules under increased scrutiny this season, the league once again found controversy on one of the game’s biggest stages.