NFL
Mahomes hits out after refereeing controversy confrontation
The Chiefs star was asked about the recent refereeing dispute, and it’s safe to say he didn’t hold back.
Some will say the tremors have always been there, but most will agree that the game against the Houston Texans was the first big scribble on the seismometer, when the pen started to flicker and draw the lines of the earthquake that has kept the NFL’s talking heads babbling incessantly.
The talk had been rife in the aftermath of the game, which saw Chiefs quarterback Mahomes win several penalties for Unnecessary Roughness and Roughing the Passer.
Texans star Will Anderson Jr was quick to come out against the decisions, calling it “Texans vs Refs”, while NFL commentator Rich Eisen labelled the decisions “unacceptable”, adding “every 15 yard penalty that is called should be reviewed by replay while the officials are calling it and getting a conference together on the field to discuss it. That’s enough time for replay assist the to look at it to tell them pick the flag up, we do not want that penalty called, it should not be called.”
‘The referees are doing their best’
“I don’t feel that way‚‘’ Mahomes said ahead of Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium when asked for his response on Anderson Jr’s comments.
“At the end of the day, the referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and as proper as they possibly can. And all you can do is go out there and play the game that you love as hard as you can and live with the results. I think that’s what we preach here in Kansas City.
“You get new referees every year, you get new circumstances, and you never can really tell because every play’s different and that’s what makes the NFL so special. I feel like I’ve just continued to play the game, and I just try to win, and whatever happens kind of happens.‘’
On the upcoming game, Mahomes told ESPN “it’s just two really good football teams going up against each other. They have great players at every level on both sides of the ball and they’re well coached.”
“And so, when you play great football teams like that, it kind of usually ends with that split type of deal there. We’ve been able to beat them in the playoffs and they’ve got us in the regular season. If you look at the games, every game’s close, so it just comes out to a play here or there that makes an impact on the outcome.”
The AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday January 26, 2025. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. Viewers in the States can tune in to the AFC Championship Game live on CBS and Paramount+. You can stream CBS’s coverage of the conference title decider on fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
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