NFL Referees Break Silence on Favoritism Allegations

The NFL Referees Association is going on the offensive after claims began swirling on social media that officials are biased and favor certain teams—namely, the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Once the conspiracy theories began floating around online, it came to a boil during a pre-Super Bowl press conference on Feb. 3 when former Boston radio host Rich Shertenlieb asked Mahomes a trolling question. 

"Patrick, for your whole career you have had so many great people help you win. So, who is your favorite ref?" Shertenlieb asked, to which the three-time Super Bowl champ quipped, "That's hilarious," before responding that "all the refs are great, man. All the refs are great. They do the best they can. And we go out there and play the game the right way," the quarterback said, per NBC News. 

The question of referee impartiality prompted a response from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "A lot of those theories happen in social media and they have a new life," he said, per USA Today. "That’s a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously."

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The NFL Referees Association, the union representing all NFL refs, agreed with Goodell in a statement defending officials' integrity. 

"Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL Officials are not doing everything possible to make the right call on every play is spot on," NFLRA executive director Scott 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 138 officials are colluding to assist one team."

"There are many things that fans 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," Green added. "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."

Related: Why the Super Bowl Field Will Look Different This Year

Super Bowl LIX kicks off Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. 

source https://www.mensjournal.com/news/nfl-referees-favoritism-allegations-patrick-mahomes-interview