Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young had an excuse ready for his reaction to Thursday’s controversial safety.

Young sacked Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold in the end zone during the Rams’ Week 8 win, but it appeared he would be penalized for a facemask on the play. However, no foul was called on the play.

Presently he put his hands on his helmet and appeared to admit that he had committed the penalty. When this reaction was reported on social media, Young took to X to joke that he was simply covering his ears due to the loud noise in the stadium.

Murphy’s safety came with just 1:36 left in the game and all but ended any chance of the Vikings completing a comeback victory.

While Minnesota should have extended the majority of the field to tie the game, the penalty still took away the opportunity. After the game, referee Tra Blake explained that he “didn’t get a good look” at the game and that he didn’t see the penalty in real time.

“The quarterback was facing away from me, so I didn’t get a good look at it,” Blake said, Kevin Seifert by ESPN. “I didn’t look and I didn’t see the face mask being pulled, obviously.”

Despite clear video evidence, NFL rules state the play cannot be reviewed.

While it was a disastrous play for a Vikings team that falls to 5-2 on the season, it was a big moment for Young and the Rams, who move to 3-4 on the season. That has the team in contention for the NFC West as they sit just one game behind the division-leading Seattle Seahawks.