Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; NFL referee Clete Blakeman during the New England Patriots game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Why officials from the Bills vs. Chiefs didn't have to answer for horrible calls

Originally posted on Buffalo Bills on SI
By Brian Letscher | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 12:16 PM ET

As the AFC Championship game approached, there was a lot of chatter about how poor the officiating can be at big moments in big games, particularly when involving the Kansas City Chiefs. And last night certainly lived up to that hype with a host of highly questionable calls at critical times - all of them went against the Bills.

THREAD….

THE #CHIEFS ARE HEADING BACK TO THE SUPER BOWL AFTER ONE OF THE WORST OFFICIATED GAMES IN #NFL HISTORY.

THE #BILLS GOT SCREWED BY THE REFS, 10 OF THE WORST CALLS EVER…

1) THE REFS SOMEHOW RULED THIS A CATCH FOR KC…

WILDpic.twitter.com/11W0RqKXKo
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 27, 2025

So with the understandable emotions for teams and fans alike surrounding NFL officiating -- again, in a HUGE game -- why were the refs nowhere to be found after last nights game? Millions of people, who drive television ratings and buy tickets and merch, wanted to know how on earth they could miss that spot on the Bills 4th down?

Can we all agree to just boycott the Super Bowl until the @NFL finds a way to hold @NFLOfficiating accountable for erroneous and missed calls?

It’s obvious the only way to hurt them is in the wallet. If we as fans refuse to participate maybe things will change.
— brandi (@haremherd) January 27, 2025

NFL officials only address calls on the field after games when they are requested by the media.

Last night, there was no request made. Why there was no request is certainly a question but another is why aren't referees required to be available after the game automatically?

So they give Kincaid a terrible spot should have been 3rd & inches

Then they actually get the first down, refs try to say they are short. Review it, he’s clearly 2/3 ball past & they keep the call. Unbelievable #RIGGED https://t.co/LwckmTHKu6
— Intrinsic (@intrinsicvalyou) January 27, 2025

The NFL would do well to make referees automatically available to the media after each game the way they do with players and coaches. If they want to be so involved on big plays, and get them wrong as they did last night, then they should have to face the questions afterward.