If Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa was trying to avoid an NFL fine for talking negatively about NFL referees, that ship has sailed.
Bosa was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct on Saturday in the Wild Card Weekend showdown between the Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars, one of which had a crucial impact on a two-point conversation that helped Jacksonville complete their epic comeback. He was also seen slamming his helmet to the ground twice over frustration regarding uncalled penalties in the other direction.
Joey Bosa looks like my toddler after he throws his tablet and I give it back to him pic.twitter.com/8TgvshSYIs
— Brandon Zingale (@BrandonVine) January 15, 2023
After the game, Bosa took accountability but also said “I’m not going to speak my mind and get fined more than I already am.” However, on Monday, he let loose with a full-on rant against NFL refs and their lack of accountability that is almost certainly going to get him fined in a major way.
"They’re probably back in the locker room after the game, like, ‘Ha, got that asshole. You know, yeah, got him. Fifteen yards. What a loser.’ I guarantee you that’s what they’re fucking talking back in the back." – Joey Bosa on NFL officials 👀 pic.twitter.com/AU5YPkqZrm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 16, 2023
“I think there just needs to be more accountability on…I mean, if I say something to them, I get a $40,000 fine,” Bosa said to reporters in the locker room. “But if they blow a call that ruins an entire team’s season, they get to… they’re probably back in the locker room after the game, like, ‘Haha, got that a**hole. Yeah, got him. Fifteen yards. What a loser.’ I guarantee you that’s what they’re f***ing talking like in the back.”
NFL officials have been getting tons of blowback all season long and there is certainly room for teams and players to try and change that. However, all Bosa probably did was cost himself a lot of money and also put a target on his back the next time he’s looking to get a call (or avoid one).
