Tennessee Titans rookie OT JC Latham took a different approach to the controversial reffing calls made in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings
The Tennessee Titans suffered a difficult and controversial defeat to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. A game that showcased growth from starting quarterback Will Levis was unfortunately overshadowed by a poor, one-sided performance by the referee crew. The Titans were whistled for 13 penalties in total, three of which directly led to 21 Vikings points.
Most notably of all, Titans reserve safety Mike Brown was penalized for a phantom “roughing” call on a 4th-and-1 pass into the end zone. Brown appeared to jar the ball loose from Jordan Addison’s grasp with a clean-and-legal shoulder hit to Addison’s chest. Instead of a turnover on downs, the Vikings were awarded a first-and-goal, and essentially, a free touchdown. Titans head coach Brian Callahan had to be restrained by his assistant coaches.
That wasn’t all. Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was twice whistled for illegal contact on superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. The first call occurred on 3rd-and-3 when the Vikings were prepared to punt from their own territory. Instead, the next play was a 47-yard touchdown pass to Addison, one the Titans played poor coverage on.
The second call on Brownlee Jr. occurred on 3rd-and-11 from Tennessee’s 41-yard line. The actual play was a strip-sack by Jeffery Simmons that appeared to kill the Vikings’ drive. Again, they were bailed out by a controversial reffing decision, and scored a three-yard touchdown mere plays later.
Titans quarterback Will Levis also had a 51-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley wiped out by a questionable illegal formation penalty. Of all the illegal formation penalties called on Titans right tackle Isaiah Prince, this one was the most puzzling. The would-be TD was wiped out just minutes after Callahan’s club captured momentum through a historic 98-yard score to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Several Titans players understandably expressed their frustration with the referees following Sunday’s setback. Rookie offensive tackle JC Latham took a different approach. Instead of allowing the refs to drive the narrative, Latham decided to hold his teammates accountable via a public social media post.
Cant point fingers at the ref we need to look in the mirror and do our job routinely thats not on them.
— JC “TK” Latham (@TKJaayy) November 17, 2024
Despite Tennessee’s uneven offensive performances, Latham has been outstanding for the Titans this season. The former Alabama standout is playing like the franchise left tackle they were searching for post Taylor Lewan. Latham is not only exceeding on-field expectations, he’s quickly becoming one of the team’s most important leaders.