Bottlegate, also referred to as The Beer Bottle Game, was an officiating controversy that resulted in a fan riot during an American football game in the 2001 season of the National Football League (NFL) between the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars and the Cleveland Browns.
The inciting incident occurred in week 14 with the Browns sitting at 6–6, needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Down 15–10 with 1:08 remaining, the Browns were forced to try to convert on 4th and 2 at the Jaguars' 12 yard line. Tim Couch took the snap and passed short to Quincy Morgan, who caught the ball for a 3-yard gain and a first down. Although Morgan appeared to bobble the football, officials called it a complete pass. Couch hurried the offense to the line of scrimmage and spiked the ball with 48 seconds remaining. The officials announced that they would review the 4th down conversion two plays earlier and overturned it, giving the ball to the Jaguars. It sparked controversy because officials cannot change a call for any play other than the most recent.
Enraged, Browns fans began throwing objects onto the field, mainly plastic beer bottles. Some fans began throwing the stadium's trash cans down to the field as well. After a few minutes, the officials announced that the game would end 48 seconds early and the officials and players exited the field. However, the league office called, telling them to finish the game. The teams and officials came back onto the field, and, after two quarterback kneels by the Jaguars, the game was over, 15–10.[1][2]
^Meisel, Zack (December 16, 2014). "An oral history of BottleGate, 13 years after Cleveland Browns fans stole the spotlight". cleveland.com. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
^"REPORT: Roger Goodell Shoved a Ref After the Infamous 'Bottlegate Game'". 12up.com. September 9, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
Bottlegate, also referred to as The Beer Bottle Game, was an officiating controversy that resulted in a fan riot during an American football game in the...
seconds under a hail of debris. The incident then would become known as "Bottlegate", and resulted in the immediate ban of plastic beer bottles from future...
with 200 police officers at the ballpark. Baseball portal History portal Bottlegate, a 2001 Cleveland Browns game ended early due to unruly fan behavior Hooliganism...
Chargers 'San Diego'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 1, 2022. "Bottlegate". FRN - Florida Radio Network. July 26, 2015. Archived from the original...
thrown by angry fans became blunt missiles, and which was known as the "Bottlegate" game. The incident effectively ended any further serious marketing of...
December 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in what became known as "Bottlegate". The Browns were driving toward the east end zone for what would have...
16 August 2012. Meisel, Zack (16 December 2014). "An oral history of BottleGate, 13 years after Cleveland Browns fans stole the spotlight". cleveland...
controversies Violence in sports List of violent spectator incidents in sports Bottlegate, a previous 2001 NFL incident which led to controls on beer sales and...
one of the most controversial refereeing moments in NFL history was Bottlegate. His defense that year forced a league leading 33 interceptions. The Browns...
(#60) Back Judge: Todd Prukop (#30) Replay Official: Mike Wimmer (#0) Bottlegate Fail Mary — another controversial officiating decision from 2012 Pass...
appearances and 5 more titles in the next 17 years. On December 16, 2001, Bottlegate occurs Confederations Cup – Held one year before the 2002 FIFA World Cup...
Browns fans to throw beer bottles onto the field in an incident dubbed "Bottlegate". In 2002, he had his best season as a professional, recording 56 receptions...
short of their target of 157. Several arrests were made. December 16 – Bottlegate – During an NFL game between the Cleveland Browns and the Jacksonville...
throwing plastic beer bottles onto the field. Amid the bedlam, later named "bottlegate", officials ended the game with 48 seconds on the clock and left the field...
Also the first time Tom Coughlin returned to Cleveland since the 2001 Bottlegate incident. In the first quarter, New York trailed early as Browns kicker...
plastic beer bottles and other objects on the field, in an incident dubbed "Bottlegate". McAulay declared the game over and sent the teams to the locker rooms...
This was Terry McAulay's first game he officiated in Cleveland since the Bottlegate incident against Jacksonville on December 16, 2001. Week 13: Cleveland...
Football. Also Tom Coughlin’s first game in Cleveland since the 2001 Bottlegate incident when he was with the Jaguars. In the first quarter, Cleveland...
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