Three-time Super Bowl champion and current broadcaster Troy Aikman was one of the critics of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for allegedly “flopping” during a controversial play in their win over the Houston Texans on Saturday.
The play in question occurred in the fourth quarter, after the Texans were already penalized for roughness. Mahomes seemed to exaggerate his fall to the ground, which upset both fans and commentators.
Aikman, speaking from the ESPN booth, said: “He’s trying to draw the penalty. Rather than just run out of bounds, he slows down. And that’s been the frustration, and I get it. I understand it. That’s been the frustration for these defensive players around the league.”
Despite the Texans not being penalized for the play, the incident caused a stir on social media. Fans were already frustrated by earlier calls in favor of the Chiefs, which added to the sense of injustice.
Aikman had earlier criticized a decision to penalize Texans players Henry To’oTo’o and Folorunso Fatukasi for hitting Mahomes in the third quarter. He argued that Mahomes was acting as a “runner” during that play, meaning he shouldn’t have been protected by the rules designed for quarterbacks.
ESPN’s rules expert, Russell Yurk, also disagreed with the penalty, suggesting that the Texans players didn’t hit Mahomes but rather collided with each other, with Mahomes caught underneath. This penalty allowed the Chiefs to score a touchdown, putting them up 20-12.
Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. also voiced his frustration after being penalized for roughing the passer during a Mahomes incomplete pass earlier in the game. That drive ended in a field goal, putting the Chiefs ahead 6-3. Anderson Jr. expressed his displeasure after the game, saying, “We knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game.”
While NFL players can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, there’s no specific rule against “flopping” or “diving.” Aikman called for a rule change, saying, “They’ve got to address it in the off-season.”
Kansas City went on to win the game 23-14, securing a spot in the AFC Championship game where they will face the winner of Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.
In another surprise, the Washington Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, upset the Detroit Lions to reach the NFC Championship game. They will play either the Los Angeles Rams or the Philadelphia Eagles.
With two Super Bowl victories already in the bag, the Chiefs are now aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive title, with Mahomes pursuing his fourth championship overall.
