The leader of the NFL referees union called the claims that officiating crews favor the Kansas City Chiefs, or any other team, “insulting and preposterous.”
Scott Green, the executive director of the NFL Referees Association, issued a statement on Tuesday thanking Commissioner Roger Goodell for dismissing the accusations and responding to the conspiracy theories on social media about Chiefs’ favoritism.
“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to assume that NFL officials are not doing everything they can to make the right call on every play are spot on,” Green said. “Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It’s insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that 17 officiating crews with 138 officials are working together to help one team.”
The rumors of bias stemmed from a few controversial calls in the playoffs that went in favor of Kansas City. These included penalties on Houston for two illegal hits on Patrick Mahomes in the divisional round and a call on Josh Allen that ruled he was just short on a fourth-and-1 sneak in Kansas City’s 32-29 win over Buffalo in the AFC Championship.
But looking at all penalties shows no evidence of bias. In fact, the Chiefs have been penalized 120 more yards than their opponents in the regular season and playoffs since the 2022 playoffs started.
Kansas City has also seen 10 fewer first downs awarded to opponents because of penalties on third or fourth down during that time, and they’ve had only a slight advantage in penalty-yard difference in the fourth quarter or overtime of tight games.
“There are many things fans can focus on during a 17-game season, like coaching decisions, player injuries, weather, and even close calls during incredible plays made by talented athletes,” Green said. “But you can be sure that every single down, NFL officials, both on the field and in the replay booth, are doing everything they can to make the correct call.”
