Phil Luckett Botches Jerome Bettis OT Coin Toss (1998) | NFL On Thanksgiving

NFL referee Phil Luckett has one of the more embarrassing NFL on Thanksgiving moments, as he audibly mistakes Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis' call of 'tails' on the overtime coin flip which would've been right. The Lions instead got the ball and kicked a game-winning field goal 3 minutes in OT.
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[@tlv156]

I'll never forget this moment ever. We lived on a small street with houses one right on top of the other in Pittsburgh. We had our screen door open and all up and down the street all you could hear was were shouts of dismay and anger coming from every single home on my street. It's funny looking back and remembering that despite being really angry about it myself at the time.

[@Theyluvab.2k]

He said hea-tails and he admitted it

[@drkEB6285]

​@Theyluvab.2k he wasn't asking what he said. He was telling a short story of how he remembered it

[@christopherkopke7593]

only time in history a controversial call went the lions way

[@osamasufian24]

Frrr even the lions player couldn't believe it

[@JZ2001JC]

Uhm the Lions get a lot of calls going their way.

[@mrmacross]

@@JZ2001JC Some of the most egregious bad calls in recent history have gone against the Lions. Pass interference call wiped out against Dallas in the playoffs, illegal batting of a ball in the end zone, refs calling a TD when there wasn't a TD and then automatically winding the clock past 0:00 to end the game, the phantom face mask call that allowed Rodgers a chance to throw a hail mary to win the game, the two phantom hands-to-the-face calls that helped the Packers win with a game-winning FG, and the Calvin Johnson play. Those are just off the top of my head. But there was a bad call that went the Lions way. Oddly enough, it was a pre-Calvin Johnson, Calvin Johnson-rule play. Bernard Berrian caught a go-ahead TD, but they ruled that when Johnson hit the ground, the ball moved a little in his hands so he didn't survive the ground. And also oddly enough, it happened against the Bears.

[@TheRealtree2]

Still true in 2023

[@mrsensei3614]

Hey actually said head tails loll

[@michaelmann4960]

37 on Steelers looks like Keegan-Michael Key from Key and Peele

[@Muffinarm_]

+Michael Mann Carnell Lake

[@gregoryfailing4002]

Don't. Don't do that

[@xlmvp86]

You meant Keegan Michael Key sort of resembles Carnell Lake.

[@robnavarro8195]

100% he does 😂🤣

[@robnavarro8195]

He use to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers before he got into comedy

[@jackstrawfromwichita988]

At 0:57, Bettis seems to be saying something like "I changed it in the air, it never hit the ground", then he and another Steeler emphatically reiterate "It hadn't even hit the ground." After that he pretty clearly admits that he at least said "hea--". So even though I can't hear it in this video, it seems pretty unlikely that he simply only said "tails".

[@drkEB6285]

Exactly! That's exactly what happened. I don't blame the ref one bit here. He went with what he was saying first. Wether people Like it or not. Can't really be mad about it 🤷🏻‍♂️ Is how I feel lol

[@jeremyg9305]

Even more, if the ref didn't enforce it immediately like he did, and the coin was a heads, Bettis could have said that he said heads first so that should be the call.. He could have chosen either way..

[@troxistmajin8740]

The Cardinals-Packers playoff game brought me here.

[@davidw4781]

Even after a quarter of a century, I still remember this moment like it's yesterday.

[@peterrodby2786]

Yeah, I was watching it live and I wasn't sure what Bettis called. After that fiasco the league started putting mics on players.

[@jwynder0244]

i think at the 20 second mark even the Lions player tells the ref he called tails

[@jimkayser1880]

LOL, I think you're right, I never noticed that. That's why the ref said, "He called heads". I had always thought he was just responding to Bettis himself.

[@kamranlaker5558]

didnt even notice that until you pointed it out

[@roninmoore965]

no it was the other guy standing next to Bettis who said "he said tails"

[@theguy8242]

Dude!!! He did

[@DNSKansas]

If the Lions truly thought Bettis said "tails", then they should have chosen to kick off to be sporting.

[@alexgammino]

He said fucking tails the ref is deaf...

[@davidbrock709]

Deaf as a fucking bat

[@NightHawk12to81]

Nope. Bettis admitted he said "hea-tails", and by rule, the ref had to go with the first choice. Luckett got it right.

[@JTmakesfunofdiabled-hs9kh]

​@@NightHawk12to81lmao, what? Hea-tails? Lmao. So he never even said heads? He said Hea? Lmao

[@Rexspecsjosh]

@@NightHawk12to81the meat riding is wild

[@Marsasaurus]

@@JTmakesfunofdiabled-hs9khthink you said “lmao” enough?

[@kjsigs2786]

Lions #72 at 20 second mark clearly says “he said tails” and lifts his hand up, right after the ref quickly and loudly replies “he said tails!” Ref was salty

[@bouldercrestboi]

I remember watching this game confused as hell.

[@frontloaded5402]

I remember this live. He called heads and then said tails.

[@jayNicks10]

I am listening very carefully here to see if the bus did indeed said "heads-tails" or "he-tails" or whatever a lot of people are saying, and I am literally only hearing tails.

[@danger170388]

Jay Nicks he's said himself he started to say Heads

[@tps64]

they have enhanced audio of it

[@MICHAEL_MAY_8]

He said TEADS!!!

[@TLO129]

Now listen very carefully at 0:56 , Bettis says “I changed it in the air it never hit the ground.” This means Bettis called heads, maybe half-said it and then changed to a louder voice and said tails. That’s why you hear tails, and that’s why Phil Luckett said to Bill Cowher, “He said Heads-Tails, I went with heads because he called that first. “And it actually makes a lot of sense when you listen very carefully and you cans hear “Hea....Tails”

[@holocade4908]

im the complete opposite i only hear heads and at no point did i hear tails

[@jasonfischer8946]

He said tails...right after he started to say heads.

[@pronkb000]

This should be titled, "Jerome Bettis botches the coin toss."

[@zoeith6]

Reminds me of Cuba Gooding Jr's character in Rat Race.

[@markguerrero6791]

zoeith6 you mean the character based off this actual referee incident 🙄

[@zoeith6]

No he wasn't.

[@markguerrero6791]

zoeith6 um yes they got the idea from this.

[@zoeith6]

No, they did not.

[@thegamingchef3304]

Wow remember it like it was yesterday lol.

[@AshtonHutchinson]

It's like they gave the Steelers Super Bowl 40 after this to compensate.

[@jacksonconley5117]

To compensate for this and the bad officiating in 2005 Divisional Round against the Colts. This was very good compensation.

[@JD-11568]

Even the two Detroit Lions captains we're amazed/ confused the referee did that, they heard Jerome say tails, CL #37 heard Jerome say tails, Jerome said tails, everybody watching on TV heard Jerome say tails, WTH ref. #HEARING-AID

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

He started with heads then changed to tails. Because he started with heads that is the call the referees go by.

[@ramzafl]

The NFL clearly interviews a bunch of experts who hear Bettis say "Hea-Tails". Confirm it. Then still blame and say he "botched it" [when the rules clearly state the call is whatever the captain calls first]. Way to stand behind your guys for a laugh. www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/09000d5d82466e91/Top-10-Thanksgiving-Moments-Luckett-s-coin-toss

[@HawkGuy82]

Yes you can hear it both ways even after listening to it 20 times.

[@nazkeepit1k]

Bill Cowher look like he about to punch the ref

[@TheKress722]

No he looks like he is about to punch Jerome for mucking up the coin toss

[@dclark0601]

I wonder if this happened in today’s game, if this is reviewable?

[@vadimzdonutube]

Dunno, but they changed the rules so that they have to declare heads or tails BEFORE the coin toss

[@DaDualityofMan]

#37 is built different going out there with no tapes or gloves or nothing, looking like a generic Madden character lol.

[@QuickStix26]

And the following week, Phil screwed the Seahawks when Testaverde got stopped well short of the goal line, but said it was a TD.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

Phil got this right

[@CoachTabe]

He got this right and the touchdown call wasn't his call.

[@jacksonconley5117]

Phil should of been banned for life.

[@JustANiggaWithARocketLaucher]

​@@EssexAggiegrad2011wrong

[@cnvw974]

Steelers said tails BUT right after that lions said heads, as the coin was flipped. This is why the ref said "you changed it in the air".Both heads and tails were said before coin was rolling on field. So ref had no chance to cheat that. And explains why ref said what said.

[@Ser_Arthur_Dayne]

"I believe Jerome Bettis said Tails..." === me too.

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

He started with heads but changed it.

[@mrsensei3614]

He said head tails 🤣

[@joellee5863]

It’s time the NFL got rid of the coin flip in OT and just continued the game as is where is and went straight to sudden death.

[@m4rc_yt79]

even if he calls he-tails, tails is the last and full desicion pick, that is dirty

[@alexbishof320]

dingus ref! "TAILS!" "OK HE SAID HEADS... AND IT LANDS ON TAILS! SUCK IT STEELERS!"

[@rrh1980]

bettis 100% said head TAILS! got too cute for his own good.

[@chumbucket182]

Dang this a year before I was born

[@svsps]

Happy 20th anniversary!

[@langinmej12]

thats why they change the rule players will calls heads or tails b4 toss

[@DannyWilliamH]

I was at this game. It rocked lol

[@maxpuente3899]

I too ,it was awesome

[@brucedavis3816]

He said hea tails!!

[@astonbarry2]

Detroit went on to win aswell lol

[@thecjgamer0357]

even though I'm a ravens fan, this is fucked up

[@paulbartleson8878]

There should always be two officials. AND you don't have them call it in the air... that way the other official repeats the call back out loud BEFORE the toss. This is a bad mechanic.

[@JackLiberty0]

If you go to the settings in this video, select 0.25 speed, you can clearly hear Jerome Bettis said "Heads-tails." For the longest time, I thought the Steelers got screwed, but if you play the video in slow motion, there's no mistaking Bettis said "heads-tails".

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

@Logan Rider He said heads first

[@robnavarro8195]

That's weird, the first time i watched the video i heard "heads-tails". But every time that i have watched the video after that, i only hear "tails" .... anyone else hearing heads ?

[@TheNJayC]

Nah he said tails

[@JZ2001JC]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2mxeYypmbmWhLc

[@blue84freak]

He said tails. There was no heads before it. That is what the ref claimed but never happened. I am a Ravens fan so I have no reason to support the Steelers other than that’s what happened.

[@kyledechau5955]

Sound was horrible in this video. I didn't hear heads or tails.

[@jacksonconley5117]

If this were in Pittsburgh, people would be throwing bottles on the field.

[@bwill613]

It would have been worse if it was Cleveland.

[@anthonytraficante9655]

Another memory in the now ill fated super dome

[@ablasphemite1940]

Silver Dome

[@JanMichael-Vincent]

Is anyone here after Geno Smith most likely said tails? Tho i wouldn’t be surprised if that doof said both

[@coreymacgregor4468]

They put out clearer video and you can here him say Heads. When I watched it live I thought for sure he said tails too.

[@JanMichael-Vincent]

Corey MacGregor yeh i heard him say both, i was just joshin. It’s super bizarre tho

[@pastorfred7265]

They look like Key and Peele

[@Gholla87]

That ref 1000 percent had money on the Lions

[@pdtatum2262]

The refs have been the best team in the league for a long time.

[@bryanwelch6209]

Does Vince McMahon run the NFL

[@bradlafferty6076]

CHOKE the Bus

[@bgwheel01]

It was proven that Bettis said Hea-Tails while the coin was in the air. Per NFL rule, Luckett took Bettis's first call. The league came out in a training video saying that Luckett made the right call.

[@joshuavaughan4802]

Ross Bray I mean, even if true. HEA is not a call

[@maxh8052]

He said heads

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

He started with heads then changed to tails. Because he started with heads that is the call the referees go by.

[@p0rn0saur]

I believe Jerome Betties said Hea-Tails, like hid did back in the day

[@JamesZeht]

U can even go on .5 speed it shows he said tails and only tails. Evidence? His mouth doesnt move except when he says tails

[@jonzoppi1394]

@Logan Rider During an overtime coin toss in a November 1998 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions the coin landed on tails and Luckett awarded the toss to the Lions.[2] Steelers captain Jerome Bettis said he had called "tails", but Luckett insisted that Bettis had called "heads-tails".[3] According to NFL rules, a team's first call is the one the referee will use, and Luckett noted in his game report to the NFL that Bettis was attempting to deceive.[4] The Lions scored a field goal on their first possession of the overtime to win the game. The game tape was later enhanced, and Bettis is clearly heard saying "hea-tails." A sideline microphone enhancement also clearly had Bettis telling coach Bill Cowher that (Bettis) had said "hea-tails."[2][5]

[@holocade4908]

@@jonzoppi1394 yeah this is literal unargueable proof not sure why morons like logan rider are still trying to argue it

[@hovikghazaryan9130]

I'm honestly so lost in this who says heaa tails etc

[@210772106]

And this is living proof why refs should be paid 25k a year instead of a six figure salary

[@rrh1980]

because Bettis said headTAILS?

[@210772106]

@@rrh1980 Bettis clearly said tails and the refs claimed he said heads

[@ViViDG]

We’re all here from the current game who mentioned this 🤣

[@DaDualityofMan]

Yeah, nobody wanted to win lol

[@churrokidd]

No

[@bradsnyder6053]

The botched coin toss from the 49ers vs Seahawks OT game brought me here.. Refs always screwing up games lol

[@matthewshortle5274]

I heard Geno Smith say "heads"

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

This wasn't botched

[@bradsnyder6053]

@@EssexAggiegrad2011 LMAO it was definitely botched, not intentional but it messed up the game. This comment is also a year old XD

[@quintontillmon1620]

I can't believe how straight faced and cold that ref was. Bettis called tails in the air.

[@ensabahnur7657]

Just them throwing in everyone faces how fixed sports always been!

[@giantsr1eva]

+Quinton Tillmon Why is Jerome Bettis saying that he can change it before it hit the ground?

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

He started with heads then changed to tails. Because he started with heads that is the call the referees go by.

[@MrPdizzy42o]

Im a lions fan...watched this live. J.B Called tails. I like the win..but not like that. They screwed you steelers fans and your team.

[@jkemfive7709]

1:23

[@newdurag583]

EVEN IF HE DID SAY HEADS WHY DIDNT WE HEAR AS LOUD AS DAY WHEN HE SAID TAILS WHEN SOMEONE MAKES S MISTAKE THEY STILL SAY IT LOUD AND CLEAR FIRST TIME CUZ THEY DONT KNOW THAT IS WAS A MISTAKE IS JEROME BETTIS GOD CAN HE TELL THE FUTURE😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ensabahnur7657]

Just 1 of many instances of NFL showing how fixed their sport always been!

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

HaHaHaHa

[@GoBlue576966]

The call that cursed them forever.

[@DannyWilliamH]

The Lions were cursed long before that lol

[@ghvfvchbvv6814]

Bullshit, he said tails and this is coming from a diehard Lions fan.

[@45TROVFX]

It was confirmed he said “He-Tails” and change it in the air

[@quintontillmon1620]

Looking into this further mic enhancements a week later shows Bettis saying "hea-tails".

[@austin4x]

Link? He said tails. The while world heard it. One dude missed it. You have no link cause you made that shit up.

[@quintontillmon1620]

+austin4x do your own research austin4x and you find out yourself. Until then I hope you favorite team wins today have a good one.

[@austin4x]

Research? I did that when I saw the shit live on TV. News agencies did it for weeks afterward. The NFL even investigated and enstated the new rule where the call has to be made before the coin is tossed. What? You think everybody forgot this shit already? You got some secret investigation they never made public? Lol. I'm calling bullshit and I don't have to research to prove you're lying lol. That's not possible. Just because I don't find anything doesn't mean it didn't happen. No. The way it works is the person making the ludicrous claims has to show some sort of facts to back it up. You have none. Just a made up story about mic enhancements lol. Full. Of. Shit.

[@quintontillmon1620]

+austin4x you got it and I see your point. May you favorite team win. I digress.

[@austin4x]

Respect. I will actually look into it.

[@jacksonconley5117]

I’m very surprised Phil Lockett was allowed to officiate another game, he should of been banned for life.

[@kingkobra37ethanvaldez41]

he said tails

[@danger170388]

KingKobra37 Ethan Valdez kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2mxeYypmbmWhLc

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

He started with heads

[@davidmadras721]

He said ‘he-tails’ ... it’s not only audible but he’s spoken about it non-privately. No big deal, they lost the game just as they deserved. Unfortunately for Detroit, they win a lot of battles... but no major wars - Pittsburgh has.

[@robsmith961]

Apparently Bettis admitted to saying, "Uhh, tails" and that may have thrown off Phil Luckett.

[@JZ2001JC]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2mxeYypmbmWhLc

[@MICHAEL_MAY_8]

Sounds like Bettis said, "teads". Why the hell would they make him call it in the air anyway? This was bound to happen sooner or later!

[@mrfett7582]

They do that so they cant peak at the coin when it's on the ground. But the ref definitely rushed it, he didn't even ask if he was ready he was just like call it in the air and yeeted the coin.

[@1990Thunderbolt]

Bettis = "tails" the ref = "heads is the call" wtf????

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

Bettis said heads first

[@1990Thunderbolt]

@@EssexAggiegrad2011 maybe the refs misheard him.

[@holocade4908]

@@1990Thunderbolt nah its literally confirmed that he said heads first and theres no debating that

[@1990Thunderbolt]

@@holocade4908 so the lions got lucky lol for once in their pathetic franchise xD

[@NoctemAeternusMusic]

Steelers fans can whine all they want but Luckett made the correct call. Bettis tried to deceive and call “Heeaa-Tails”, and the NFL rules stated that the ref goes with the first choice, which was Heads. Bettis even admitted later that he did it, so the fact that this is still being blamed on Luckett is ridiculous.

[@dagg3rfury203]

He clearly said "Heads" first. Can't change your call after that, they got it right.

[@austin4x]

No he didn't. He never said anything BUT tails, and I hate the Steelers.

[@davidbrock709]

Bruh are you just hearing things I don't know where you heard heads from I turned my volume all the way up and never heard him say heads I clearly heard him say tails. I ain't deaf.

[@jaredcabrera3934]

Dagg3rFury lol tf he clearly said tails

[@kylefreiler6210]

Yeah definitely turned my volume up and played it like 5 times in a row and didn't hear heads at all

[@ECWnWWF]

I agree with Phil Luckett there, I heard heads too. I don't know why anyone would be upset, a referee is allowed to have a rooting interest.... hey! ya know ... maybe Pete Rose should be a referee.

[@QuickStix26]

You’re as deaf as he is.

[@BlackNGoldRules]

He said tails plain as day. Anybody that is trying to say that he said heads or "heeea-tails" is just giving an anti Steelers opinion or your just deaf.

[@raizhadrake5408]

BlackNGoldRules no you're wrong he said heads

[@raizhadrake5408]

I mean tails

[@NightHawk12to81]

Why would Jerome Bettis give an anti-Steelers opinion? He admitted that he said "hea-tails".

[@danger170388]

BlackNGoldRules are you sure? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2mxeYypmbmWhLc

[@NoctemAeternusMusic]

Bettis even admitted he said Hea-Tails”, and enhanced audio proved it

[@NuRm69]

go Lions!!

[@killaquf8124]

Ryan Nurmi BOOOOOOOOO

[@EssexAggiegrad2011]

Because Bettis started with heads, that is the call the referee had to go with. Phil Luckett made the right call.

[@ryanhegarty3152]

Bro

[@ofinterest7539]

He said hesssssstails it's always the first one, Phil was right

[@sskimback]

He clearly says tails wtf u listening to

[@TheCnBoyz]

+Mark Bravo Though it is hard to hear, he said "Hea-Tails"

[@BlackNGoldRules]

He said tails. I think some of you guys are trying to convince yourselves he said "hea-tails" because Luckett was somehow convinced of that. If this was the other way around, all the Steeler haters would be saying that the refs were trying to cheat for the Steelers. Since it went the Lions way.....nothing.

[@jaredcabrera3934]

BlackNGoldRules lol even the lions said he said tails

[@sa-uz8xv]

lol @ nfl

[@mxplk]

The Steelers lied--and later admitted that they lied--and called "Heads-Tails."

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

mxplk no they have stayed resolute in the tails call. In fact I just watched an animated retelling I this situation.

[@mxplk]

@@bonnevillebagger9147 That's not the consensus online.

[@tps64]

how did he botch it if he clearly started to say heads

[@matthewkrueger3789]

Nope...this isn't the original tape or the audio. Bettis clearly said "heads" before shouting tails in the original broadcast and the replays after. It doesn't matter who you're "FOR" or "AGAINST" I clearly remember he said "HeeeaadTAILS!" Ref heard him and called him out. Bettis will just never admit it.

[@setheriah]

Heads tails for the win

[@captainpotatochips1367]

“This isn’t the original audio” my guy this is from the official nfl KZbin channel, you mean the nfl is trying to defame itself?

[@chicagosportsforlife4906]

Bettis>Any Packers RB ever

[@bigty390]

Hell naw

[@nathanstands3185]

lol why are you taking shots at packers

[@bigty390]

Nathan Stands Vikings fans just salty ass fuck bout that ass whooping.

[@nathanstands3185]

Must be

[@bigty390]

Nathan Stands We Packers, Bears, Lions, Steelers, Vikings fan hate each other.

[@gamesAVALetsPlays]

this is fucked up

[@45TROVFX]

No it’s not Jerome Bettis said “Hea-Tails.” He confirmed it

[@michaelbetancourt9366]

First 😀

[@forman208]

Nope