“It’s just all BS”: Tom Brady addresses referee controversy, rejects claims of favoritism toward the Chiefs | NFL News
As the Kansas City Chiefs head into Super Bowl LIX, accusations have surfaced claiming that NFL officials are conspiring to favor Patrick Mahomes and his team. The theories have gained so much attention that Scott Green, the NFL Referee Association’s executive director, felt compelled to publicly deny the accusations of collusion.
Tom Brady addresses referee claims of favoritism towards the Kansas City Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders co-owner and NFL commentator Tom Brady appeared on Fox & Friends and was asked to share his thoughts on the referee dispute.
Delhi Election Results 2025
“I think it’s just all BS. It’s just a bunch of noise,” Brady said. “These refs have very challenging jobs to do. I’m very happy Twitter didn’t exist during the Tuck Rule Game in 2001, let me say that. I would’ve been on the wrong end on a lot of those. But these refs are out there trying to do their very best.”
“They got to make decisions in a split second and they’re gonna call what they see and these guys are some of the most professional people on the field. They just want to do a good job like everyone else. And look, sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don’t. In the end, over the course of a 140-play game on both sides of the ball, the players have plenty of opportunities to go out there and make an impact in the game, winning or losing and that’s what I’m excited to see on Sunday night.”
In the 2001 “Tuck Rule Game,” officials overturned a fumble by Tom Brady, ruling it an incomplete pass instead. This controversial call helped the Patriots retain possession, tie the game, and win in overtime, marking a turning point in NFL history.
In the 2024 AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, a crucial moment occurred in the fourth quarter with the Bills leading 22-21. Josh Allen attempted a fourth-and-1 run, which seemed to get him past the first-down marker. However, officials ruled him short, denying the Bills a new set of downs. Many analysts and fans, including CBS rules expert Gene Steratore, felt that Allen had indeed gained the first down.
The Chiefs took advantage of the turnover on downs, scoring a touchdown to take a 29-22 lead. The Bills were unable to recover, and the Chiefs won 32-29, advancing to Super Bowl LIX. This controversial call added to the ongoing debate about officiating bias in favor of the Chiefs, although NFL officials have denied any favoritism.
During the 2025 AFC Divisional Round, the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Houston Texans, and several calls involving quarterback Patrick Mahomes sparked controversy. One notable call was a roughing-the-passer penalty on Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr., which upset many fans and analysts. Anderson voiced his frustration with the officiating, claiming the game felt like it was “us versus the refs.”
Also Read: “She’s just a joy”: Travis Kelce’s father is in awe with Taylor Swift and predicts their relationship will go in the future
As a result, both Anderson and Bengals running back Joe Mixon were fined $25,000 each for publicly criticizing the officials. The NFL has a policy against such comments to preserve the integrity of the game and avoid negative public discussion about referees.
