Steelers' Christian Kuntz Outraged After Being Ignored By Refs While Called For Unconventional False Start

The Steelers sideline and players on the field were equally taken back by the ruling. Kuntz signaled first down, Pressley Harvin III was jubilant, and Connor Heyward celebrated by flexing. They all believed there would be a continuation of the offensive drive. According to reports, the false start was called on Kuntz because he had slid the ball while moving his head.

Many people took to social media to express displeasure about the significant call that could have, arguably, cost the Steelers the game. It's pretty clear that Kuntz was not in the wrong.

During a recent episode of Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, co-host Hayden Walsh inquired whether Kuntz had received an explanation from the referees regarding the controversial call. Kuntz responded with a laugh

"Me, no, not me. They gave Mike T an explanation, but not me. They were like, 'Dude, get away from us.' That’s what they were telling me. 'Get away.' They were all in a circle. 'Get away.'"

The play quickly sparked a heated debate, with many arguing that every long snapper engages in similar actions. Heyward claimed that, even during the same game, the Patriots' long snapper had allegedly executed a similar movement. Despite the controversy, Kuntz maintained a light-hearted attitude about the call, but made it clear that he was unhappy with the referees' decision.

While the controversial call did not single-handedly determine the outcome of the game, it certainly had an impact. The stalled offensive drive could have potentially led to crucial points for the Steelers. In the end, the Steelers lost to the Patriots at home, with a final score of 21-18.

The unexpected false start call involving Steelers involving Kuntz injected an element of controversy into an already-intense NFL showdown. It underscored the significant scrutiny and debate that often surrounds the decisions made by referees in professional football. Refereeing in the NFL is widely acknowledged as one of the most challenging jobs globally, a role few would willingly assume unless driven by an unwavering passion for officiating and the sport itself.

Recent events have shown a spotlight on referees, and their calls have come under intense scrutiny. A prime example was the Kansas City Chiefs' game against the Buffalo Bills, where a questionable call led to the Chiefs' defeat. While many believe that the officials made a somewhat accurate decision, controversy still lingered. 

On the final drive of the game, Travis Kelce caught a pass from Patrick Mahomes and legally threw the ball backwards to Kadarius Toney and the receiver ran the ball in for a probable game-winning touchdown. However, the refs ruled that Toney had lined up offsides, a call that received strong disagreement from Mahomes and sparked post-game discussions about the officiating.

Similarly, after the Steelers' loss to the Arizona Cardinals, TJ Watt expressed his frustration, suggesting that the NFL has something against him, particularly regarding holding calls. These incidents serve as a reminder that referees, despite their best efforts, will never achieve perfection, and every call they make will inevitably face intense scrutiny and debate.