Total Pro Sports
The NFL presented compelling data on Wednesday that won’t please the crowd who thinks the refs are out to rig games for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
During the 2024 NFL season, angry fans accused the NFL and its officials of cheating to help the Chiefs win games. The conspiracy theory grew so much that Commissioner Roger Goodell had to address it during Super Bowl week, calling the claims “ridiculous.”
Additionally, NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green put out a scathing statement on the claims, calling them “insulting.”
Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the league presented data on Wednesday showing how many penalties each starting quarterback drew per 100 hits in the 2024 season. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa drew the most penalties with 7.32.
In fact, Patrick Mahomes was only eighth on the list with 3.53 fouls per 100 hits. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Bryce Young (Carolina Panthers), Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys), Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) and Baker Mayfield also drew more than Mahomes:
The league reviewed the number of fouls drawn by QBs to see if there’s preferential treatment from officials and found there’s no pattern. The #Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa was the most fouled passer per 100 hits this past season. pic.twitter.com/xmAcHEcEus
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 26, 2025
Like the other 31 teams, the Kansas City Chiefs benefit from and suffer from officiating mistakes. But as the league data shows, the idea that the refs are protecting Patrick Mahomes must be put to rest.
Countless fans were ready to throw around the “rigged” conspiracy theory for Super Bowl 59 between the Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. But Jalen Hurts and the Eagles put that to rest with a dominant 40-22 victory over the defending champions in the big game, one that was officiated fairly after the questionable offensive pass interference call against A.J. Brown in the first quarter.
