Jets' Sheldon Richardson admits he called timeout before touchdown

New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson said he called the timeout before Geno Smith threw a game-tying touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Trailing 31-24 in the fourth quarter, Smith threw a 36-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-four, but it was called back because the Jets called timeout before the snap.

New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson said he called the timeout before Geno Smith threw a game-tying touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers, NJ.com's Darryl Slater reports.

Trailing 31-24 in the fourth quarter, Smith threw a 36-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-four, but it was called back because the Jets called timeout before the snap. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's appeals for a timeout were not granted, and Richardson admits he made the call to the referee.

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“I saw Marty calling the timeout and I was into the game,” Richardson said. “I knew it was crunch time. I didn’t know if he wanted the timeout or not. I just knew he called it. I helped him out a little bit. I whispered in the referee’s ear ‘timeout,’ and he called it before the ball was thrown. It’s just bad timing on my part. I feel like I let the team down. It just happens when you’re into the game like that, though.”

NFL rules state a timeout can only be called by the head coach or a player on the field.

While the Jets did get a first-down on the next play, they were not able to score a game-tying touchdown and ultimately lost the game. The Jets fell to 1-1 on the season and will play the Chicago Bears next Monday night.

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- Paul Palladino