Kurt Warner: 'I Was Definitely Moving My Arm Forward to Throw the Ball'

A fantastic Super Bowl XLIII ended with a head-scratcher of a play, and Arizona is not exactly thrilled about it. After falling behind 27-23, the Cardinals had moved to Pittsburgh's 44-yard-line in the closing seconds when Kurt Warner dropped back to pass. Steeler LaMarr Woodley came around the edge and hit Warner's hand as he was cocking back to throw, knocking the ball loose.

Pittsburgh recovered the fumble, then took a knee for the win. But why was Warner's turnover not reviewed?

"I was really surprised on that one because I was definitely moving my arm forward to throw the ball," Warner said. "I thought I'd almost gotten the ball off, so yeah, it does surprise you that in that kind of situation - five seconds to go to decide the Super Bowl - you would think it was something they'd do. But maybe somebody saw it clearly."

On the play itself, Warner's arm, after being hit by Woodley, clearly moved forward -- as did the ball, which traveled several yards downfield before Pittsburgh recovered. There appeared to be at least some question about whether or not Woodley had knocked the ball loose prior to Warner completing his throwing motion.

NBC showed several replays of the play, but it never went to an on-the-field replay because the video replay official deemed it clearly a fumble.

According to NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira, the replay official upstairs did see the play clearly.

"We confirmed it was a fumble," said Pereira. "The replay assistant in the replay booth saw it was clearly a fumble. The ball got knocked loose and was rolling in his hand before it started forward. He has to have total control."

Woodley may have, at least, popped the ball free of Warner's complete control before he actually started to throw his pass. Still, the NBC replays were far from conclusive (meaning that it would've been hard to overturn), but at the moment the play occurred -- with just seconds left in the freakin' Super Bowl -- it seemed like a no-brainer to warrant further review.

Instead, the replay booth official took the decision into his own hands. It's hard to justify that decision, given the importance of the situation.

As for Warner, he played a great game, throwing for 377 yards and two touchdowns. Yet his night will be more remembered for his two turnovers: a 100-yard James Harrison interception return and the game-ending, controversial fumble.

Steelers Put on Super Show

Pittsburgh Steeler fans are dispersed by riot police in Pittsburgh's Southside, February 2, 2009, after the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl Forty Three. REUTERS/David DeNoma (UNITED STATES)

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An unidentified person is subdued by riot police in Pittsburgh's Southside, February 2, 2009, after the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl Forty Three. REUTERS/David DeNoma (UNITED STATES)

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This US Navy photograph obtained February 1, 2009 shows US Navy sailors aboard the USS Essex reacting while watching Super Bowl XLIII on February 2, 2009 in the South China Sea, several time zones ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Santonio Holmes caught a seven-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / US NAVY == GETTY OUT == (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

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U.S. soldiers, serving at Bagram airbase north of Kabul, watch the NFL Super Bowl football game early morning February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN)

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U.S. soldiers, serving at Bagram airbase north of Kabul, watch the NFL Super Bowl football game early morning February 2, 2009. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN)

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With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (front) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (R) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (2nd-R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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With seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLIII, the pass by quarterback Kurt Warner (C) of the Arizona Cardinals is thwarted by LaMarr Woodley (R) of the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Steelers edged the Cardinals 27-23 for a record sixth Super Bowl title. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes of the Pittsburgh Steelers kisses the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on February 1, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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