Hardly a week went by this season without fans complaining about the officiating in NFL games.
There were critical roughing the passer penalties called that appeared to be incidental contact. There were the usual pass interference calls and non-calls that were wrong. Delay of game penalties went uncalled well after the play clock had clearly expired.
Even in the AFC Championship, the Kansas City Chiefs appeared to get a crucial third-down “do-over” in the fourth quarter.
So when a reporter asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Wednesday about the issue of officiating this season, no one could have predicted his response.
“For us, when you look at officiating, I don’t think it’s ever been better in the league,” Goodell said, via Ari Meirov.
Finally, Rodger Goodell gets an officiating question: "For us, when you look at officiating, I don't think it's ever been better in the league."
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 8, 2023
Goodell added, “Our officials are held to an incredibly high standard and I think they meet it. Will we try to get better? You betcha.”
.@nflcommish addressing officiating: "Our officials are held to an incredibly high standard and I think they meet it. Will we try to get better? You betcha." pic.twitter.com/zIYlyqPCop
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) February 8, 2023
NFL observers and fans quickly roasted the commissioner’s remarks.
What!? Forget championship weekend … offensive pass interference and illegal contact penalties need to be revised bc how the refs saw these infractions was grossly inconsistent… the latter penalty especially.
— Matt Vespa (@mVespa1) February 8, 2023
“This is why NFL officiating will never be good,” tweeted Deejay Johnson.
This is why NFL officiating will never be good.
— DeeJay Johnson (@Go_DeeJay21) February 8, 2023
— Scott Durbin (@scottkdurbin) February 8, 2023
He’s blind then
— Terry (@TerryinSoCalif) February 8, 2023
I shot a 126 in golf this weekend and, let me tell you, my golf game’s never been better.
— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) February 8, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.