NFL admits to Nevin Lawson his 66-yard pass interference penalty was a mistake

One of the biggest plays in the first half of the Detroit Lions’ Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers was a pass interference penalty on Nevin Lawson. The penalty was assessed as a spot foul, meaning the Packers gained 66 yards on the play. The 66-yard enforcement was the longest penalty in at least 30 years according to Elias Sports.

The call was very ticky tacky by most people’s standards, and after the game Lawson, himself, told reporters he didn’t believe it was a foul. From ESPN:

"I don't think I pass interferenced him," Lawson said. "Just seen the ball in the air, I didn't even see him, to be honest. I was just focusing on the ball. He tripped, and that's what they called."

Lawson got a little bit of redemption this week, as the NFL contacted him and admitted that he shouldn’t have received a flag on the play:

Obviously, this admission does nothing to take back the call, but it is always nice to see that the NFL is reviewing their officiating and is unafraid to admit mistakes.

Here is the play in question:

What do you think?

UPDATE: Just a clarification, the NFL spoke with the team and Lawson heard through a coach. According to MLive.com, Lawson did not speak directly with the league nor did he receive a direct apology.