As the Buffalo Bills prepare to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, controversy surrounding the officiating crew has been simmering in the background. Amid concerns that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is receiving preferential treatment from referees, CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore has weighed in with a message for the officiating crew.
Steratore, a veteran referee with 15 years of NFL experience, took to social media to express his thoughts on how the game should be called. “My pregame message to the officiating crew,” he wrote. “Let them play physical, right up to that line of being a foul. Call the obvious and let the incidental/small stuff fall by the wayside.” Steratore’s message emphasizes the importance of allowing the players to compete physically while maintaining a fair and consistent level of officiating.
The controversy surrounding Mahomes and the refs reached a boiling point last week during the divisional round game against the Houston Texans. Mahomes appeared to benefit from two questionable roughing-the-passer calls, sparking outrage among fans and pundits alike. However, Mahomes himself has downplayed the controversy, insisting that he simply focuses on playing football and leaves the officiating to the referees.
“I don’t feel that way,” Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday. “I just try to play football at the end of the day. The referees are doing their best to call the game as fair and proper as best they can.” Mahomes’ comments reflect the Chiefs’ team philosophy, which emphasizes hard work, dedication, and respect for the game.
As the AFC Championship game approaches, all eyes will be on referee Clete Blakeman and his crew. With Steratore’s message serving as a reminder of the importance of fair and consistent officiating, the stage is set for a thrilling and intense matchup between two of the NFL’s top teams.
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