The Kansas City Chiefs have to still be upset about how they lost in Week 14 to the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs and Bills were in a slugfest for most of the evening before the former had a chance to win the game with their final drive in the fourth quarter.
Patrick Mahomes hit Travis Kelce near the right sideline for a huge gain, but the star tight end kept the play alive by flipping it to Kadarius Toney who waltzed into the end zone.
For a moment, it seemed like Kansas City would escape with the win but the officials called the play back after they ruled Toney was offsides before the snap.
Head coach Andy Reid and Mahomes were livid and went on to criticize the referees for calling the penalty at such a crucial part of the game.
Reid and Mahomes were fined by the NFL for their comments and fans were not happy with the decision via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Source: #Chiefs coach Andy Reid has been fined $100,000 for violating long-standing league rules prohibiting public criticism of game officials.
QB Patrick Mahomes has been fined $50,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct for abusive, threatening or insulting language to officials,…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2023
Why can’t they publicly criticize refs?????? That’s weird
— Big B (@BWareLaFlare) December 16, 2023
Soft league
— Shadow (@FeelLikeMafe) December 16, 2023
Shouldn’t be a rule
— Jelani. ™️ (@iHad2reInvent) December 16, 2023
WHEN WILL THE REFS GET IN TROUBLE
— Anthony (@AnthonyCaruso03) December 16, 2023
Reid and Mahomes have every right to be upset with how things transpired, but technically speaking they did violate league rules when it comes to postgame criticism.
However, fans dislike that coaches and players are unable to voice their frustrations with officials especially when they feel like they have a legitimate gripe.
Unfortunately, upon further review of the clip Toney does appear to be offsides and the officials made the correct call.
The fines will hurt Reid and Mahomes’ pockets, but they and the team need to move forward and focus on their Week 15 matchup against the New England Patriots.
NEXT:
Former NFL QB Says His Respect For Patrick Mahomes Has ‘Increased’
