NFL says refs’ fist bump OK after TD

DENVER – After C.J. Anderson bulled in for his second touchdown of the day, the Broncos celebrated.

So did the refs.

Moments after Anderson’s 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter of Denver’s 24-17 win over Buffalo on Sunday, line judge John Hussey and umpire Carl Paganelli fist bumped after making what turned out to be the correct call.

The NFL had no problem with the gesture.

“It was an acknowledgment of good mechanics between the two officials involved in making the call,” NFL spokesman Michael Signora said.

Indeed, it was a difficult call because Anderson bulled through the center of the line, making it hard for Hussey, standing on the sideline, to see if the ball had crossed the plane of the goal line before the runner’s knee hit the turf. Paganelli’s job, from the middle of the field, is to stick his nose into the pile and help the line judge figure it out.