Lance Easley, a replacement refereee in the national spotlight for a controversial call in the Monday Night Football game lives and works in Santa Maria. The call involved the final play of the game when a player for the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers each had the ball in the end zone in the final play of the game and the referees ruled simultaneous possession, which counts as a reception. However, the Packers say they clearly had sole possession of the ball. Easley has coached high school and junior college football games for about 12 years, and works at a bank in Santa Maria.
The NFL issued a statement supporting the referees' decision to let the ruling stand. Friends who spoke with Easley say he is in good spirits and is looking forward to officiating the Minnesota Vikings/Detroit Lions game on Sunday.