VIDEO BLOG: Hats off to Ed Hochuli

Watch my video blog on something you don't see very often in the NFL or in any sports these days. Or, you can read it below.

No one probably feels worse this morning than NFL referee Ed Hochuli. The 57-year old attorney has been calling NFL games since 1990, including numerous playoff games and two Super Bowls. He's regarded as one of the best in the business. But yesterday he made a mistake that cost the San Diego Chargers the game.

The Chargers were up 38-31 in the final seconds. Denver had the ball when Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler attempted a pass on 3rd and goal from the one. The ball slipped out before his hand moved forward. It was clearly a fumble that Chargers' linebacker Tim Dobbins recovered. But Hochuli blew his whistle just after the ball hit the ground, apparently thinking it was an incomplete pass.

Hochuli told the sold-out crowd and the millions of television viewers watching the game, "The play should have been ruled a fumble. By rule the ball was dead when it hits the ground because the whistle was blown. Therefore, it's Denver's ball at the ten yard line which is the spot where the ball hit the ground."

On the next play, Cutler threw a touchdown pass that brought the Broncos to within one. They went for two and scored to win the game 39-38.

Ed Hochuli probably didn't sleep much last night. But I applaud him for telling the crowd and and the millions watching the game on television that he got it wrong.

Just like the athletes who play the game, referees make mistakes. Sometimes it means the game. But those players vow to study the game film, practice and try to get better. I have no doubt Ed Hochuli will do the same.