Sam Darnold’s face mask being pulled by Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Byron Young has generated a ton of conversation in the NFL. It proved to be a game-winning play for the Rams.
However, several fans are throwing the league under the bus after the egregious non-call. Fans are over the phase of wanting retribution and demand answers.
NFL Fans Not Shying Away From Accusing the NFL of Being ‘Fixed’
The NFL being scripted or fixed has been a longtime running joke.
Darnold’s face mask being pulled in the end zone, bringing him down without a call, led to a Minnesota Vikings loss — and it has fans up in arms.
On X (previously Twitter), one analyst uploaded the clip of the entire action with the caption, “This ref literally must be blind staring RIGHT AT the face mask, no call.”
this ref literally must be blind
staring RIGHT AT the face mask, no call pic.twitter.com/dwE3BzCBgL
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 25, 2024
The NFL fans raged in the comments section as they theorized that the higher powers wanted the Rams to win the Week 8 clash. “He’s not blind. The NFL is fixed. There is clear evidence every week but everyone is in denial. One of these days the light will go on,” replied one fan.
He’s not blind. The NFL is fixed. There is clear evidence every week but everyone is in denial. One of these days the light will go on.
— MJ (@mj_quin1) October 25, 2024
“They had to stick to the script,” another fan added.
“Vegas had its hands all over this game,” tweeted one fan.
“The fix was in. 3 drives sustained by questionable penalties,” another fan tweeted.
The fix was in. 3 drives sustained by questionable penalties
— CygnusX-1 (@zero_liberator) October 25, 2024
“I’m sorry this is not a mistake. Check his gambling accounts. That’s 100% unequivocally intentional,” one more fan wrote.
“The most obviously rigged league in existence. One way whistle all night then no call here is DISGUSTING,” replied one fan.
The most obviously rigged league in existence. One way whistle all night then no call here is DISGUSTING https://t.co/ionoh9MwMa
— Do Good and Bet Sports (@Fnbach17) October 25, 2024
Referee Tra Blake Puts His Side in Perspective on the Face Mask Fiasco
After the game, referee Tra Blake, in an interview with PFWA’s Calvin Watkins, narrated his side of the issue. “Well, on that play, the quarterback was facing the opposite direction from me, so I did not have a good look at it,” Blake said.
“I did not have a look, and I did not see the face mask being pulled, obviously,” he further added. “The umpire had players between him and the quarterback, so he did not get a look at it. He was blocked out as well.”
Blake further stated that since it was not a scoring play, they could not review the call. Hence, after discussion, a decision was made to not call a penalty since none of the refs saw the foul with their eyes.