How can the NFL refs put out a statement saying they aren’t favoring the Kansas City Chiefs and then do that on the first series of the Super Bowl?
It’s the argument that’s been going on for most of this season, and much of the NFL’s post season. And the allegations aren’t new, and have popped up in the past couple of seasons as the Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls.
As to why football fans think there’s some Chiefs favoritism, there are a couple of reasons for that. First of all, Kansas City didn’t look all that dominant this year. They won 10 games this season by one score or less en route to a 16-2 record and the top seed in the AFC.
And along the way, there were plenty of calls from the referees that appeared to benefit Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Whether they were questionable penalties on their opponents, the Chiefs getting away with something that should have been flagged, or just head-scratching calls from officials, they all caused uproars as fans couldn’t help but think that Kansas City was being helped.
Thus, the accusations of bias have plagued the NFL and the Chiefs, especially as the season has progressed into the postseason – and the Chiefs third Super Bowl appearance in the past three years. Not too long ago, the NFL Referees Association released a statement directly addressing what they called “conspiracy theories,” claiming that the allegations the refs favor or help out the Kansas City Chiefs “insulting and preposterous.”
“Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 crews consisting of 138 officials are somehow colluding to assist one team.”
Statement from NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green, who says: “It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.” pic.twitter.com/jwPVqYkFWD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 4, 2025
Of course a lot of people think the fact that the NFL and the Referees Association even addressed the matter makes them sound even more guilty. And based on how the Super Bowl got started, the ref’s argument that they aren’t helping the Chiefs is just downright hard to believe.
During the first series of the Super Bowl, Philly went for it on 4th down. The gutsy call to go for it would have been a tone setter to start the game if they would have converted it. And they would have… if the refs wouldn’t have called offensive pass interference on Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
As you’ll see in the clip below, there wasn’t much happening on the play… certainly not enough to throw a flag:
Eagles vs the refs
Congrats on superbowl #3 Chiefs
Most rigged spot of all time NFL is a joke now
HORRIBLE OPI called on AJ Brown
pic.twitter.com/TRKAlUqQhg— Football Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) February 9, 2025
Sheesh.
There’s no other way to say it. That’s a horrible, no good, very bad call. And it got the internet fired up, once again calling out the referees for showing favoritism to the back-to-back Super Bowl champions:
The refs helping the chiefs #SuperBowlLIX pic.twitter.com/reM0z7Nhsr
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 9, 2025
What a stop by the Chiefs on that first drive pic.twitter.com/J71A9tOO6p
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) February 9, 2025
Refs making their Chiefs statement early pic.twitter.com/NOtRYf8eHn
— Molly (@FSUmollz) February 9, 2025
NFL fans after seeing the pass interference called in favor of the Chiefs
pic.twitter.com/LnKdyfB91t
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) February 9, 2025
Welp!! Let the they “cheat for the Chiefs” stories start writing themselves because that’s a trash Call!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 9, 2025
The post NFL Fans Sound Off After Early Flag In Super Bowl Favors Kansas City Chiefs first appeared on Whiskey Riff.Eagles: *make a positive play*
Chiefs refs: pic.twitter.com/rP8ldTxRNk
— NFL Memes (@NFLHateMemes) February 9, 2025