Who called the 2nd timeout?

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I don't see what's wrong with asking a ref for clarification, again they do this all the time. Yes Gibbs should have known the rule, but if he wasn't clear and asked the ref and the ref says yes, you can call a time out, I think some blame has to be placed on the ref for misinforming the coach.

Matty, I'm with you all the way on this one. In every situation, if a player or coach tries to call consecutive timeouts, then it's up to the official, upon hearing the request, to deny the timeout, continue with the play, and explain that taking consecutive timeouts is illegal.

Clearly, the official who stopped the play the second time didn't know the rule either. When getting the signal from Gibbs to take the second timeout, he never should have waved his arms to cease play and stop the clock. All he had to say is, "Coach, the rules say you can't take two timeouts in a row."

This is not to absolve Gibbs from blame. Certainly he, or someone else on this immense coaching staff should have known that. But I'm really interested to hear how the league explains this one.