It has not been the best year for UK hopefuls, with only two Brits flying the flag in the four acting categories - Anglo-Irish actor Day-Lewis and British-Australian actress Naomi Watts.
The loophole was exposed on the Lions' Thanksgiving Day game when Schwartz threw the challenge flag on an 81-yard touchdown run by Houston's Justin Forsett.
He said the flag at the Northern Ireland Assembly building should be flown at half-mast on the day of her funeral and books of condolence opened "across Northern Ireland".
With a distinctive white beard, for years he was regularly seen at Pakistan's Wagah border crossing with India holding a Pakistani flag and wearing colour-co-ordinated clothing as the famous ceremony was played out each day.
The Punjab government has announced a three-day mourning period as a mark of respect for Mr. Singh, during which the national flag will fly at half-staff on government buildings.