The 2024-25 NFL playoffs have been controversial regarding the referees, with multiple questionable calls in each round. That said, many believe that no team has benefited more from these controversial calls than the Chiefs.
On Feb. 3, the league’s commissioner, Roger Goodell, addressed the backlash regarding these calls, among other topics, during a press conference.
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
NFL Faced Backlash After Chiefs-Themed Super Bowl Refs Graphic
Many fans accused the refs of cheating for Mahomes and the Chiefs on social media after their victory over the Texans in the Divisional Round, and those calls still haven’t stopped. There was more backlash during the Chiefs’ victory over the Bills in the AFC Championship, which also featured some questionable calls, which only escalated things even further.
That said, as the NFL announced the Super Bowl refs on social media, they used a graphic that contained Chiefs-themed colors, leading many to believe that it was already rigged for them to be in it.
The Super Bowl LIX officiating crew: pic.twitter.com/OT8rwQp685
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2025
This led to backlash after using the Chiefs’ colors to promote the Super Bowl before they had even made it. Miami Dolphins beat writer David Furones said, “They didn’t really put the Chiefs colors on the graphic, did they?”
They didn’t really put Chiefs colors on the graphic, did they?
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) January 21, 2025
One fan also added, “Chiefs colors on this graphic for a reason.”
Chiefs colors on this graphic for a reason
— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) January 21, 2025
Another fan even accused the NFL of rigging this game, 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
Though these colors are very similar to the Chiefs’, this has been the Super Bowl theme since they announced it in Feb. 2024. The Super Bowl logo can also be seen in the top right corner, matching the colorway of the rest of the graphic.
Even so, with the Chiefs now in the Super Bowl facing the Philadelphia Eagles, it should certainly raise some eyebrows that they appeared to promote their colors in the game before they made it.