Getty Image / Derek White
The NFL world erupted in controversy over the weekend when an offensive offsides penalty called on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney wiped away what would have been an all-time great go-ahead touchdown in the Chiefs’ 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Now, commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken out about the incident, backing up the game’s referees.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell weighs in on the KC-BUF offsides call: “There was no question about that foul. … It was absolutely the correct call.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 13, 2023
If you’re confused by why this play is still being talked about, that makes two of us. Kadarius Toney was clearly offsides on the play.
#Chiefs Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce to Kadarius Toney for the touchdown, but it's called back pic.twitter.com/QxyP6bhqAc
— Tanner Phifer Highlight Hub – @TannerPhiferNFL (@hub_pf40320) December 11, 2023
But, people went nuts. Patrick Mahomes threw a temper tantrum, Andy Reid was in disbelief after the game, and for some reason a ton of people were complaining about it on social media.
I get it, it erased an incredibly cool play that would’ve been an iconic touchdown, especially with Taylor Swift in attendance. But, are the officials supposed to ignore a clear infraction like that? It’s not as if they waited until after the play was complete, realized it was awesome, and then threw a flag. It was thrown pretty soon after the ball was snapped.
The Chiefs have backtracked, for what it’s worth. Patrick Mahomes apologized for his actions and words, and Reid has admitted that Toney was offsides. But, there was no reason that Goodell should have had to address this three days later. Refs are actually missing calls every week. We shouldn’t be discussing the ones they get right.