In the wake of Week Two’s game between the Chargers and the Broncos, we inquired as to whether San Diego coach Norv Turner faced a fine for calling referee Ed Hochuli’s game-changing blown call “unacceptable.”

For years, we’ve been under the impression that any criticism of game officials is prohibited.  However, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said as to Turner that there would be no fine. 

Per Aiello, league rules only prohibit “criticism of the integrity of officiating.”

The explanation caused raised brows and bulging eyes throughout the league.  Previously, the prevailing thought was that criticism of any kind is prohibited.  We’ve since heard from multiple league sources (one of whom heard from multiple other league sources) on this point, and the general reaction was amazement.

In fact, one source pointed out to us the language of Article 9.1(c)(4) of the NFL’s constitution, which expressly and generally prohibits criticism of game officials, without any direct or indirect reference to criticism of an official’s “integrity.”  So we asked Aiello whether that provision still is in effect, given the possibility that it had been revised.

“There have been no changes,” Aiello informed us by e-mail.  “That has always been the interpretation.  Criticism that is a personal attack or an attack on the integrity of the game officials is prohibited.”

OK, so now we definitely know the rule.  (We think.)  And we can publicize it to the rest of the NFL.  Despite the plain language of Article 9.1(c)(4) of the league’s constitution, only criticism that constitutes a personal attack or an attack on the integrity of the officials is forbidden.

The standard therefore allows general criticism of officials and/or their actual or perceived error, including Turner’s assessment that Hochuli’s blunder was “unacceptable.”  The standard also apparently permits the recent rant of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones regarding Hochuli, during which Jones had this to say:  You know, that guy is quick to call penalties.  He’s quick to draw.  He’s known for that. . . .  He’s very quick.  His crews call a lot of penalties.  Maybe the answer is to tell people like that, ‘Keep that whistle out your mouth.’”

Previously, Jones said that Hochuli has a reputation for being ”highly criticized.”

Aiello also tells us that Colts G.M. Bill Polian did not run afoul of the rule, as interpreted, via his recent comparison of Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars (which featured a controversial pass interference call by Walt Coleman’s crew) to the 2003 AFC title game (which prompted the Colts, as legend has it, to press for changes in the enforcement of the illegal contact rule) as being handled by the ”same referee.”

But why then was former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs fined for making a vague reference three years ago to “mystery calls“?  That’s not a personal attack.  Presumably, someone concluded that it was an attack on the integrity of the officials.

Still, there’s evidence of at least one significant punishment that was imposed with no real proof of personal attacks or criticism of integrity.  Two years ago, Steelers chairman Dan Rooney was whacked with a $25,000 fine for comments that seem a lot more tame than anything Jerry Jones said last week.

“Those officials should be ashamed of themselves,” Rooney said at the time. “That last call, you don’t get that kind of call.”

There was suspicion at the time that the fine was aimed at making it clear to the league that Rooney’s support of then-new Commissioner Roger Goodell would not result in special treatment (except when it comes to that relatively minor issue of, you know, 64 percent of the ownership group holding prohibited interests in gambling . . . for two years and counting).

Regardless, some league insiders are now pleased to know what the standard actually is.  And they hope that it will be applied this way moving forward. 

Still, others fear that the interpretation will embolden some to routinely criticize the officials in a manner that deftly avoids crossing the line of personal attacks and/or criticism of their integrity.