Kordell Stewart, meet Mike Renfro.
Kordell Stewart's disputed 5-yard touchdown catch proved pivotal as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Indianapolis Colts 20-16, just as a similar play did on the same field 16 years before. In that one, Houston Oiler receiver Mike Renfro appeared to make a TD catch in the right corner of the end zone but officials ruled he didn't have possession before stepping out of bounds. Pittsburgh won, 27-13.On Sunday, in the final minute of the first half, as he ran by safety Jason Belser, Stewart's left foot clearly came down out of bounds.
But no official saw it, and Stewart made his second career touchdown catch. NFL rules state a receiver cannot leave the field of play, then return to make a catch.
Referee Bernie Kukar said no call was made because none of the three officials in the vicinity - the back judge, field judge or side judge - saw Stewart step out of bounds. The official closest to the play was field judge John Robison.
Robison said: "When I sensed him coming, I looked down, but by then he had already stepped out, apparently. From the time I looked until he caught the ball, he didn't step out."