NFL fans have mixed opinions on the referee assignment for Super Bowl 59 as both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs have reason to believe they have an advantage with Ron Torbert being the head ref.
NFL Fans Split on Officiating Assignment After Eagles’ Record With Ron Torbert This Season Revealed
For almost all of the 2024-25 NFL playoffs, fans have been calling the officials out for poor decisions in Chiefs games as those fans believe Kansas City has had an advantage.
Furthermore, it didn’t help when the NFL announced the officials for Super Bowl 59 with a graphic that largely represented Chiefs colors.
The Super Bowl LIX officiating crew: pic.twitter.com/OT8rwQp685
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2025
One fan replied to this tweet and didn’t hold back, saying, “Oh geez. Just give it to the Chiefs already. Spare us some grief. This all looks rigged.”
Oh Geez. Just give it to Chiefs already. Spare us some grief. This all looks rigged.
— ⚡️Blue Twisted Steel⚡️ (@zed350) January 21, 2025
That said, it was brought to light that the Eagles are undefeated this season with Torbert as the head referee, which has now led to some mixed opinions on who will be the main beneficiary of calls in the Super Bowl.
Ron Tolbert WILL be referring the Super Bowl…🤔 pic.twitter.com/yy7JeevzB5
— Bookit Sports (@BookitHQ) January 30, 2025
One fan replied to this tweet saying, “Every trend is pointing towards the Eagles besides Mahomes…”
Every trend pointing towards the Eagles besides Mahomes…
— 🦀💵 (@Krabs_Bets) January 30, 2025
With this trend favoring Philadelphia, it’s clear fans don’t know what to think anymore. That said, it is worth noting that the Chiefs are 3-1 all-time in games reffed by Torbert, and that includes a very controversial call in which the Chiefs were practically awarded an extra down in their AFC Championship meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs 12th man Ron Torbert will be officiating the Super Bowl this year.
If you don’t remember the name #Bengals fans, you certainly remember this play ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6JpQMeB34q
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) January 21, 2025
With this divide, it will be interesting to see if the refs play a key factor in the Super Bowl, and if so, who they benefit the most.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Speaks Out on Rigging Accusations
Many of these claims have stemmed from plays that involve star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, including a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty in the Divisional Round. However, there was also a controversial play in the AFC Championship when a late Xavier Worthy play was ruled a catch. This has led many fans to claim that the NFL is rigged in favor of Kansas City.
Goodell on officials favoring Chiefs: “This reminds me of the script that I write for entire season. A lot of those theories happen in social media and get a new life. No wants it to be their theory but it reflects the fans passions”. @PFN365
— David Bearman (@DavidBearmanPFN) February 3, 2025
This has been a huge issue on social media, as fans have been livid with the officiating in these playoffs. However, Goodell finally broke his silence on the subject, saying, “It sort of reminds me a little bit of “the script” … a lot of those theories are things that happen on social media. … It’s a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously.”
Goodell led off with a joke about how people think he has a “script” for the entire season, which is, to put it simply, impossible to do. He then went on to call these claims “ridiculous” and praise the officials in the NFL, saying, “I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards.”
Goodell says any theory of the Chiefs benefiting from preferential calls from officials is “ridiculous” and the league officiating is “outstanding.” pic.twitter.com/y5jVXQsKHu
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 3, 2025
It’s very good to see Goodell speaking out on this subject, but will it put these rumors and theories to rest?