Tre’Davious White doesn’t hold back on the officiating in the Bills - Broncos game: “referees just don’t know ball man”
The veteran cornerback had some choice words at the end of the game after a controversial decision.
The dramatic finish to the Buffalo Bills’ 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round didn’t come only from the play.
Instead, veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White hit out at the officiating in a way not seen in recent NFL games. The key moment came late in overtime when a pass interference penalty was called on White that moved the Broncos deep into Bills territory and helped seal Denver’s game-winning field goal.
With the game tied and momentum hanging in the balance, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix launched a deep pass down the sideline. White was flagged for pass interference on wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., a decision that put Denver at Buffalo’s 8-yard line. The Bills’ season ended shortly thereafter when Will Lutz split the uprights with a 23-yard field goal.
And White was not a happy bunny rabbit.
Safe to say Tre’Davious White is ready for a fine pic.twitter.com/amj28uisGY
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 18, 2026
“Referees just don’t know ball man”
“I just think it should be up to the players to decide the game with a game that’s fought so hard. It’s a bang-bang play. … referees just don’t know ball man,” White said in the aftermath, smoke billowing from his ears.
White also suggested that the crowd and atmosphere might have influenced the officials’ decision-making: “I believe so. I thought that, I didn’t interfere with the guy and the ball got there. I swiped through, knocked the ball down and fell on top of him. And, you know, I just think that the crowd probably played a big time factor in that.”
The penalty on White was only part of a sequence that left Bills players and fans spitting feathers. Buffalo also saw an earlier pass interference call on teammate Taron Johnson and a controversial overtime interception ruling against Brandin Cooks that many felt went against them. The pot was boiling even before White made his feelings clear.
DPI called on Tre'Davious White... that'll cost the #Bills the game: pic.twitter.com/53BzQqQ2fj
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) January 18, 2026
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Bills head coach Sean McDermott echoed the team’s displeasure with officiating: “That play is not even close. That’s a catch all the way ... and nobody can convince me that that ball is not caught and in possession of Buffalo. I just have no idea how the NFL handled it, in particular, the way that they did. I think the players and the fans deserve an explanation, you know?”
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