In Week 1 of the 2010 NFL season, the Lions were robbed of a potential win over the Chicago Bears when referee Gene Steratore determined that Calvin Johnson's supposed catch in the end zone was incomplete. The call incited weeks of discussion over what exactly is the "process" of a catch, and the general consensus was that the NFL's rule about catches was worded very poorly, causing judgment calls like Steratore's to be made.
↵Since that call, Steratore's crew has not worked a game involving the Lions. He has done games involving other NFC North teams and has been all over the country creating controversy, but he hasn't done a Lions game since that infamous call was made in Week 1.
↵Unfortunately for Detroit, this will no longer be the case after Sunday. According to Football-Refs.com, Steratore's crew is scheduled to work the Lions' game against Green Bay on Sunday at Ford Field. It will be his first Lions game since Week 1 and obviously will be his first game in Detroit as well. I'm sure the fans will let him hear it, and I'm just as sure there will be some, well, awkward conversations with Lions players and coaches before the game about that call in Week 1.
↵All I can say is that I hope Calvin Johnson scores a touchdown on Sunday and takes extra measures to make sure he completes the process. I don't know if he should immediately throw the ball to the referee like he has done in the past or perhaps just never let go of it and take it back to the bench with him, but this Sunday he should especially be careful of making sure the process is completed. Based on NFL rules, it's not really possible to know for sure if the process is in fact completed, but he ought to go the extra mile just in case with Steratore's crew set to referee the game.
↵(Via newyorklion)