Aaron Rodgers leaps to Patrick Mahomes’ defense after outburst at officials
Aaron Rodgers leaps to Patrick Mahomes’ defense after outburst at officials
Aaron Rodgers leaps to Kansas Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ defense after his outburst aimed at officials was lambasted by NFL fans and those around the league
Aaron Rodgers had Patrick Mahomes’ back after the latter’s tirade aimed at officials after the Kansas City Chiefs’ heartbreaking loss to the Buffalo Bills. (
Image: GETTY)
Patrick Mahomes got the support of Aaron Rodgers after the former was criticized for his tirade aimed at the referees officiating the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills game Sunday. During his weekly spot with ESPN’s Pat McAfee, Rodgers explained why he hopes the NFL won’t be too harsh on Mahomes.
“I hope nothing happens, I hope they do nothing,” Rodgers said. As it stands, the league is debating whether or not to fine Mahomes for his outburst aimed toward the referees after they called an offensive offside on Kadarious Toney on what could have been the game-winning play with Kansas City down 20-17 to Buffalo late in the fourth quarter.
After turning the ball over on downs following the offsides call, the Chiefs’ star quarterback continued to direct his anger toward the officials on the sidelines.
“That is terrible, man. We’re playing our f***ing asses off and just for you to f*** the call.” Mahomes shouted at the referees. “That’s the worst f***ing call I’ve ever seen. That’s the worst f***ing call ever man.”
Once the game ended, Mahomes continued to voice his frustration to Bills star quarterback Josh Allen. “Wildest f***ing call I’ve ever seen dude,” Mahomes said. “Offenside offsides in that moment man. F***ing terrible. F***ing worst call ever.”
Despite Mahomes’ obvious disagreement with the call, Rodgers said he ultimately agrees with what the referees ruled while also understanding what is going through Mahomes’ head. “I think that was the right call. I understand the frustration. I’d be pissed too … It wipes out a really awesome play, but the interpretation of the rule was obviously correct.”
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Aaron Rodgers could be back in action for the New York Jets by Christmas eve (
Image:
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Regarding the play in question, the referees had spotted Toney, the Chiefs’ wide receiver, offside before the ball was snapped. Once the ball was snapped, the officials threw a flag immediately and everything after the flag did not count.
Former NFL referee Gene Steratore took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain why Mahomes and the Chiefs’ complaints held no merit. “When officiating the line of scrimmage, general philosophy is not to be overly technical and split hairs over very minor infractions (such as a receiver’s hand slightly breaking the LOS),” Steratore said on X. “However, when an infraction is so egregious and obvious, a flag has to be thrown.
“Kadarius Toney is blatantly lined up offside and in the neutral zone. You rarely see an offsides penalty on the offense, but that is not because this play in #BUFvsKC isn’t a foul. It is because a receiver rarely lines up offsides.”
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After Mahomes’ outburst, the NFL explained that it would be launching an investigation regarding Mahomes’ comments to the referees before and after the game. With the evidence coming out showing just how egregious Toney’s offense was, Mahomes and the Chiefs don’t seem to have too much of a basis to stand on, something Rodgers admitted.
“I think there’s certain rules that seem pretty black and white. Lining up onside is one of those,” Rodgers concluded.
