Martin Hankins is used to complaints. As a circuit clerk he records the complaints of the defendants if the sentence is harsh and those of the plaintiffs if not. As a husband he manages the complaints of his wife whenever his mother is giving "helpful" recommendations on housekeeping and parenting and those of his mother when they are ignored. As a referee in the USFL he withstood the complaints of the cornerbacks whenever he called a pass interference and those of the receivers when not.
After the departure of a dozen referees Hankins got called up to the NFL this year. And he did well. So, what can go wrong? Hankins enters the game optimistically. He hasn't been ready.
The Rams come to San Francisco for the 49ers to secure the first seed in the NFC and for the Rams to secure the 1st overall pick in the upcoming draft. Nothing indicates a close game. Nothing until Deepo Samuel calls Cam Akers a "cheap-ass bobblehead with half a leg" and the L. A. running back goes berserk. He rushes for 232 yards and keeps the game close until the end. On the last drive of the game the 49ers need a field goal to go to overtime when Brock Purdy fires a 60-yard cannon into the redzone. Brandon Aiyuk goes up. He grabs the ball, but it comes out as he hits the ground. The rookie line judge calls an incomplete pass.
Martin Hankins is used to complaints, but he isn't ready for what awaits him now. Both Rams and 49ers go crazy. Deepo Samuel calls him "an inflatable mole who has more stripes than brain cells". Sean McVay threatens to kill his hamster. And Jake Moody promises to pull a knife on him in the parking lot. The fans throw cups and garbage at him. And 49ers mascot Sourdough Sam tries to assault him with a pickaxe.
The call stands. The Rams win. The Buccaneers receive the first pick in the draft. The 49ers slide all the way to the no. 4 seat.
Playoff picture NFC
1 Vikings
2 Saints
3 Eagles
4 49ers
5 Cowboys
6 Seahawks
7 Giants
Playoff picture AFC
1 Chiefs
2 Bengals
3 Jaguars
4 Jets
5 Broncos
6 Bills
7 Raiders
