In a season that has seen NFL officials come under fire almost weekly, they might have saved their most controversial call for the worst possible time.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, in a thrilling Super Bowl LVII. Unfortunately, a game full of great plays was decided by a controversial penalty.
The Chiefs faced 3rd and 8 on the Eagles 15-yard line with just under two minutes to play. Patrick Mahomes’ pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster was incomplete, but officials flagged Eagles cornerback James Bradberry for holding on the play.
Greg Olsen — like Eagles fans — did not like the holding call. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/yDISTh36oh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 13, 2023
A replay seemed to show only incidental contact. Fox Sports analyst Greg Olsen immediately questioned the call.
“I think on this stage, I think you let ’em play. I think you let ’em play and finish this thing out,” Olsen said.
The result: First down for Kansas City. The Chiefs ran the clock down, kicked a field goal, and one of the best Super Bowls in history ended up decided on what many fans felt was a terrible call.
Ironically, it was only Wednesday when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters, “For us, when you look at officiating, I don’t think it’s ever been better in the league.”
Eagles fans, of course, were livid with the controversial call, but even impartial NFL fans agreed that a classic game like this should not have ended on this note. College and NFL analyst Kirk Herbstreit noted, “Usually don’t get involved in ripping referees but HATE that defensive holding call.”
Usually don’t get involved in ripping referees but HATE that defensive holding call on Bradberry. 35-35 late on a 3rd down incompletion on what was a marginal foul???
Let em play man!!
Bad call-hate that is what many will take away from this game.— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 13, 2023
All time classic game tarnished by a horrible call late in the 4th
— Daniel LaMontagne (@DanLaMontagne) February 13, 2023
My biggest issue they didn’t call holding ALL game. Then, a marginal one to decide the game? That was awful.
— Gil Wyche (@wyche_gil) February 13, 2023
Spot on @KirkHerbstreit Too good of a game to end on a #borderlinecall. Let them play football. Be better @NFL
Either way great game. Congratulations @Chiefs— Steve Rake (@rake_steve) February 13, 2023
I’d enjoy the NFL more if they would just admit it’s fake like the WWE.
— Adam // Fʀɪᴇɴᴅʟʏ Nᴇɪɢʜʙᴏʀʜᴏᴏᴅ Sᴀᴅʙᴏɪ (@EDMPeterParker) February 13, 2023
I agree. I’m a Chiefs fan and that call was questionable at best. Maybe it changes the outcome of the game, maybe not. Happy the Chiefs won, but bummed that’s what everyone will be talking about.
— Steven Scott (@SSMusican) February 13, 2023
Crazy! Last year's defensive holding penalty on Logan Wilson came with 1:47 left in the Super Bowl. Tonight's on James Bradberry came with 1:54 left. Both were the first def. holding penalties of the game.
Both on third down. Opponents scored winning points after penalty.
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) February 13, 2023
This is as bad as it gets. That was the worst possible way to end a game like this. I can’t imagine being an Eagles fan right now.
— Chris (@TB12Chris) February 13, 2023
[Photo Credit: Fox]
