A Louisiana judge has ordered NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and three officials from the 2019 NFC Championship game to answer questions under oath regarding the "no-call" that decided the game, according to the Associated Press.
Attorney Antonio LeMon filed a lawsuit against the NFL over the results of the game. Now, LeMon and his attorneys plan to subject Goodell and the officials to a deposition that will take place on a mutually agreeable day in Sept.
Late in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game, the Saints offense was marching towards the endzone. On third and 10 in the red zone, Drew Brees threw a pass to receiver Tommylee Lewis. Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman appeared to have laid an early, helmet-to-helmet hit on Lewis preventing him from making a play on the ball. Under normal circumstances, referees in the new, safety first NFL would have thrown multiple flags on this play. But, for some reason, the officials kept their markers in their pockets. As a result, the Saints were forced to turn the ball over leading to a game-winning field goal by the Rams. This play has haunted New Orleans since it happened and the search for answers drove LeMon to file his lawsuit.
"The purpose of the lawsuit is not to get some minuscule amount of money. They won’t even notice that," LeMon said to the Washington Post. "It’s to get at the truth."
LeMon is hoping to figure out why the flag was thrown as well as get the NFL to donate $75,000 in damages to charity. Yet, there is a possibility that this deposition won't take place. Per the AP, if the NFL appeals the judge's order then it's likely that the questioning will get postponed or canceled. Despite this, Saints fans are excited about the chance of seeking justice.
