Fans were so concerned about referees appearing to favor the Kansas City Chiefs that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had to address the claims.
The officials didn’t assist the Chiefs during their Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, leading one Kansas City player to point the finger back toward the referees.
“I saw a lot of things in the media about the refs,” wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said Sunday night. “There was a lot of touchy calls. Are y’all gonna report that? Are y’all gonna talk about the refs now?”
The questionable whistles began on the first drive when a Philadelphia fourth-down conversion was called back for offensive pass interference. Fox broadcaster Tom Brady quickly disagreed with the call, which aided the pro-Chiefs narrative that preceded the game.
The Eagles appeared to receive a make-up call on their next possession when an iffy unnecessary roughness call against the Chiefs extended a Philadelphia drive after a third-down incompletion.
When the game ended, the two teams were almost even in the penalty column. The referees assessed seven penalties for 75 yards against the Chiefs and eight penalties for 59 yards against the Eagles.
Penalties weren’t the only factor responsible for the Kansas City loss, as Philadelphia poured on 40 points in a dominant performance.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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