“Not a good look for NFL” – Chiefs’ O-Line not getting a single holding penalty in all three of their Super Bowl wins sparks WILD reactions on social media
A section of the football fans are complaining that referees ignore holding from Chiefs players.
Every year, there’s always something for fans to complain about—mostly whose team lost the game—and the suspicious officiating has been a massive talking point. Especially the holding calls against the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line.
There’s a growing conversation that the officiating on Sunday during the Super Bowl LVIII was slightly tilted in favor of the eventual winners, the Chiefs. One such example of the disparity was caught not just on the camera but on the mic as well.
In the first quarter, the San Francisco 49ers were trying to dig themselves out of a 2nd-and-long. Initially, the players thought they had secured the first down when George Kittle caught an 18-yard pass. However, the referee called the play back for an offensive holding penalty against linebacker Trent Williams.
The officials said Williams obstructed Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna by tugging on his jersey. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was furious. He screamed at the match officials:
They hold, they tug our guy ‘til Patrick [Mahomes] leaves, and then they let go. That’s what our guy did; make sure they call it both ways.
Kyle Shanahan screamed
Kyle Shanahan to the official after George Kittle’s catch was called back:
“Hey, I saw the hold, but that’s what they do every time. They hold, they tug our guy til Pat leaves & then they let go. That’s what our guy did, make sure they call it both ways.”
That shit fell on deaf… pic.twitter.com/qcqIUiLjpt
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac)
February 15, 2024
It did little, though. Going into the Super Bowl game at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas, the Kansas City Chiefs led the NFL with 30 offensive holding penalties in the 2023 regular season. However, it was the opposite in the post-season.
Crazy: The #Chiefs OLine hasn’t been called for a single holding penalty in ALL THREE of their Super Bowl wins.
What makes this even more crazy? The Chiefs had more offensive holding calls this season than any other #NFL team.
Their only holding call in all three games went… pic.twitter.com/fe0C8ZpeUz
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 16, 2024
Football fans on social media suspect foul play from the officials for not calling offensive holding against the Kansas City Chiefs
Before the Super Bowl commenced, 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa bluntly said that the Chiefs “hold a lot.” Bosa’s statement received backing from their general manager, Jed York. He brought up an incident from the 2020 Super Bowl.
I remember Nick Bosa getting held on 3rd and long.
Jed York said
In the 2023 season, the Chiefs were the sixth-most penalized team in the NFL, tied with the Tennessee Titans. They had 126 penalties, or about 7.4 per game, which was higher than the average of 6.8.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 31, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Image via IMAGO)
Although the sample size was small when the playoffs rolled in, that changed. In all three postseason games, the Chiefs received fewer flags. It was the lowest in the AFC Championship game, in which they had only 3 to the Baltimore Ravens‘ 8. Moreover, the Chiefs hadn’t been flagged for offensive holding once in their last three Super Bowl appearances.
Yeah this is not a good look for the NFL 😅
— WinStreakz App (@WinStreakzApp) February 16, 2024
NFL is obviously rigged, they make it easier for whoever they want to win.
— Lord Tony Khanman (@HolenaJohn) February 16, 2024
100% fact.
They're a fake dynasty.
— JD Sharp (@imjdsharp) February 16, 2024
not suspicious at all
— jay 𐕣 (@shehatesjay_) February 16, 2024
They are just that good… pic.twitter.com/v1hOU7shOM
— TheBitcoinTrail (@IamBitcoinTrail) February 16, 2024
The only holding that matters at the end of the day: pic.twitter.com/KxhDg4ncus
— KC JP (@JpPhillips14) February 16, 2024
NFL is rigged. Has been. The chiefs should have never made it past the ravens. But since TayTay showed up. NFL executives got on their knees. lip smacking ready for that strap on.
— MartA (@MrMayhem3339) February 16, 2024
Why is the @NFL not responding? There is plenty of evidence, what does Goodell have to say, have replays been sent to the league offices?
— Gary Sanchez (@GarySanchez12) February 16, 2024
As per ESPN stats, the percentage of penalties against the Chiefs in the postseason didn’t always influence the outcome. Since Patrick Mahomes became a starter, the Chiefs have played in 17 playoff games, appearing in every AFC Championship game and losing three times.
The Chiefs had fewer penalties in two of those, only more against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV (13 to Tampa’s 4). They won 10 times while registering fewer holding penalties and 4 times when giving away equal or more.
