‘Insulting and preposterous’ – Furious NFL officials break silence as conspiracy talk refuses to stop during Super Bowl week

The referees have had enough.

NFL officials have heard their names and their profession be slandered and dragged through the mud over the course of the postseason.

2

The tin foil hat crowd and conspiracy theorists have come out in droves yelling and arguing that the NFL has a grand masterplan that favors Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sure, there have been a couple of questionable calls go their way in their two postseason victories over the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills, but the notion that the NFL is ‘fixing’ and rigging’ the games for Kansas City is absurd.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about the officiating being in favor of Kansas City at his annual Super Bowl press conference on Monday, and quickly dismissed the unproven theory.

“A lot of those theories are things that happen in social media and they give a new life,” Goodell said. 

“It’s out there. Nobody wants it to be their theory. I understand that. I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion.

“I think it also is a reminder for us how important officiating is. I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding.

“They have the highest possible standards. 

“It’s a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously. But at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on.”

The NFL officials have heard enough.

NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green released a fiery statement over the discourse that has taken place in the last few weeks.

2

“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL Officials are not doing anything possible to make the right call on every play is spot on,” Green said.

“Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season.

“It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 130 officials are colluding to assist one team.

“NFL Officials are graded every week, on every single play of each game.

“These grades are the determining factor as to who receives postseason assignments.

“The NFLRA commends its members, who all strive to do exactly what all 32 NFL Teams do, which is to excel at their jobs so that they are working the last game of the season – the Super Bowl.

“There are many things that cans can worry about over a 17-game season, such as coaching decisions, player injuries, the weather and, yes, even close calls on incredible plays made by incredible athletes.

“But you can rest assured that on every single down, NFL Officials, both on the field and in the replay booth, are doing everything humanly possible to officiate every play correctly.”

A strong statement by Green.

But unfortunately, one that needed to be said.

The postseason has been littered with controversy surrounding the officials and it has only grown louder as the Super Bowl draws near.

As both Goodell and Green vehemently pointed out, it’s time to nip all those crazy conspiracies that the Chiefs are favored by the officials in the bud.

Unless of course another controversial call goes Kansas City’s way on Sunday to help them secure the victory.

If that happens, stay off the internet.