Mahomes And The Chiefs Have Been Criticized in Baiting The Officials To Call Penalties

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the officiating in their 23-14 divisional round win over the Houston Texans. Mahomes, who has been at the center of the debate, acknowledged that he probably shouldn’t have tried to bait the officials into throwing a flag on one particular play.

In an interview with 96.5 The Fan in Kansas City, Mahomes discussed the recent calls and how he handles his relationships with referees. “I’ve kind of learned that, no matter what happens during the game, that something is going to come out about [the officiating] if you win, and if you continue to win, so I don’t really pay attention to it,” Mahomes said.

Mahomes admitted that he probably did too much on one play, trying to draw a flag from the officials. “I would say that the only one [where] I felt like I probably did too much was the one on the sideline where I didn’t get the flag,” Mahomes said. “The ref saw it and didn’t throw a flag, I understood it immediately and know that I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

Despite the controversy, Mahomes emphasized that the officials are doing their best to make the right calls. “Obviously, I’ve been on both sides of it, as far as how I’ve felt the calls were made, but at the end of the day, man, those guys are doing their best to make the best calls and keep it to where the players are making the plays in the game and that’s what decides the outcome,” Mahomes said.

The Chiefs’ win over the Texans was not without controversy, with some calling for more penalties to be thrown against the Chiefs. However, Mahomes pointed out that the officials’ calls had little impact on the game’s outcome. “There was a call here or there that people didn’t agree with, but at the same time, I think there were a lot of other plays that really decided the outcome of that football game,” Mahomes said.

As the Chiefs prepare to face the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game, Mahomes is focused on the task at hand. With his team seeking their third consecutive Super Bowl title, Mahomes knows that every game is under a microscope. “When you win two Super Bowls in a row, and are going for a third straight, everything you do is under a microscope,” Mahomes said.