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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 01: Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams argues an illegal motion call with Referee Craig Wrolstadduring the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Getty
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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 06: Referee Craig Wrolstad #4 signals first down during the NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs at O.co Coliseum on December 6, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) Getty
The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game. The game marks the celebration of Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction.
But the game also serves as a full-circle moment for the game’s assigned referee. Craig Wrolstad was the field judge who made the famous forceout call on Nate Poole’s touchdown to end the 2003 season, according to Cardinals Sr. Vice President, Media Relations Mark Dalton. 2003 marked Wrolstad’s first season as an NFL official.
The call ended up being very consequential for two NFL fanbases. The Minnesota Vikings were instantly eliminated from playoff contention, their spot going to their archrival Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals ended up getting the No. 3 pick, when a loss would have cemented the No. 1 overall pick.
That moment forever lives on in the form of a Paul Allen signature radio call. Wrolstad’s touchdown call shows up at the 14-second mark of the linked video.
The NFL dropped the forceout ruling on potential catches after the 2007 season.
Craig Wrolstad Referees Larry Fitzgerald’s HOF Game After 2004 Call Made him a Cardinal
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GettyOAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 06: Referee Craig Wrolstad #4 signals first down during the NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs at O.co Coliseum on December 6, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
With the gift of hindsight, that forceout call proved to be a very consequential one in Cardinals history. While it represented a win at the time, it pushed the Cardinals to the No. 3 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. That pick was used to draft Larry Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald wound up becoming one of the most productive receivers in NFL history. In 17 seasons with the Cardinals, he caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns. He proved to be one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Not only did he experience success in the regular season, but he was also a playoff performer. Fitzgerald’s dominance in the 2008 playoffs was legendary, as he recorded 100 yards and a receiving touchdown in all four games. He capped it off with a 133-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.
Wrolstad was promoted to an NFL referee in the 2014 season and has held that position since. The 60-year-old got to officiate Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings’ home stadium.
Because of his call in January 2004, Wrolstad’s career as an NFL official will always be linked to Fitzgerald’s playing career. Refereeing the game serves as the perfect way to close the book on the Cardinals’ Hall of Fame receiver’s career.
How to Watch Hall of Fame Game
The Cardinals will play the Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game. The game is being broadcast on NBC for those interested in watching. The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. MST.
This will serve as the first preseason game under new head coach Mike LaFleur. The Cardinals will try to bounce back from a rock-bottom season in 2025.
The game will mostly feature second and third-stringers. Third-round rookie Carson Beck is expected to start at quarterback for the Cardinals. First-rounder Jeremiyah Love will sit out this game.
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