NFL commissioner Roger Goodell lit a fire with his latest comments about the league’s refs ahead of Super Bowl 60. The game has a long history of controversial situations arising from questionable calls, and many wonder whether we’ll see another instance in the Super Bowl this year.
What did Goodell say about the refs?
Roger Goodell Gets Slammed for Praising NFL Refs
Goodell appeared at a media event ahead of the Super Bowl and was asked for his thoughts on the NFL’s officiating, given the controversial calls in the past.
The commissioner notably spoke very highly of the league’s game officials, praising their high-quality work.
“I’m so amazed at how good our officials are,” Goodell said. “We spend time all week looking at various angles and still debating it a week later. These guys have to make a split-second decision. The men and women on our field are incredible. I think that they’ve proven over and over again they’re really wonderful at what they do.”
These comments didn’t sit very well with prominent figures around the league, including NFL expert Football Chopz, who expressed his disagreement with a GIF of Katt Williams.
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The league has seen some frowning moments in the Super Bowl era.
In the 2018 NFC Championship, the LA Rams faced the New Orleans Saints. The game featured a controversial call when quarterback Drew Brees had the Saints in scoring range. Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, however, blatantly leveled wideout Tommylee Lewis before the ball arrived.
Many people consider the play the worst no-call in NFL history.
“This is gaslighting,” Barstool Sports’ Unbiased Ev (Evan McDowell) said about Goodell’s comments.
Sports reporter Dan Fetes just responded with an image of Dan Orlovsky shaking his head.
We don’t even have to go very far back to find another example of questionable NFL rulings. During the latest Divisional Round showdown between the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills, fan fury surged after a wild call on a Bills pass play.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen found wideout Brandin Cooks downfield just as Broncos corner Ja’Quan McMillian reached Cooks. The receiver went down with the ball, but after being down by contact, McMillian slipped the ball from his arms.
In a bizarre turn, the refs overlooked the fact that Cooks was down by contact with possession of the ball, and they ruled the play an interception.
“Packernet Podcast” host Pack Daddy similarly reacted to Goodell with a GIF of one of Michael Scott’s famous quotes.
The well-known Kansas City Chiefs page, HBTC, tweeted its confusion.
“Counterpoint: NFL officials are an absolute disgrace,” New York Jets expert NYJ Matt posted. “They are equal parts inconsistent and inept. The most ineffective group of professionals.”
Whether another officiating controversy awaits fans at the Super Bowl remains to be seen.