Dave Portnoy Blasts NFL, Roger Goodell Over Bills-Chiefs First Down Saga

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Benedetto Vitale | Last updated Jan 26, 2025 9:57 PM ET

NFL fans everywhere have complained about the Kansas City Chiefs allegedly receiving favorable calls in recent years. Heading into the AFC championship, many took to social media creating memes and jokes about how the team has officials in their back pocket.

Lo and behold, a controversial call came in the fourth quarter, and everyone called foul. The Buffalo Bills attempted to go for it on fourth down. It was a designed quarterback sneak, and officials claimed quarterback Josh Allen never crossed the first-down mark.

Initial reactions from the CBS crew consisting of Tony Romo, Jim Nantz, and Gene Steratore believed Allen got the first down. Many on social media shared the same idea, including Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy.

Portnoy shared a video of the referees running to the line of scrimmage to spot the ball after the play. He implies that Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill allegedly bumped an official off of his line and that it may have construed the actual placement of the ball.

This is so disgusting I can’t even handle it. @NFL @nflcommish #nflrigged #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/rbEO0CNkg9
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 27, 2025

Portnoy's video is certainly up for interpretation. Social media users had mixed reactions to Portnoy calling out the league and Goodell, as the angle of the clip is hard to tell the official was bumped off his line or not. Meanwhile, others are in full support of the Barstool founder.

"Typical refs robbing," claimed one sports fan.

Another user stated, "Side judge closest to the tackle makes the call, he saw it that way, and it was incredibly close. Objectively, I have no issue with it."

"This is way too obvious worst call of the year," said a convinced fan.

One fan chimed in saying, "To be fair, I don't think [Tranquill] pushed him off his line he was short before he got to [Tranquill]."

"I’m done watching this league," said a tired sports fan.

In the end, the Chiefs pulled off a 32-29 win over the Bills. The victory punches Kansas City's ticket to its fifth Super Bowl in six seasons. That stat makes the organization the first in league history to achieve that feat.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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