NFL commentators and fans alike criticized Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for his sideline meltdown following a tough loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Upset about an obvious offensive offsides call against the Chiefs, which likely cost them the game, Mahomes threw his helmet to the ground, yelled, and was held back by teammates moments after the loss. Perhaps most notably, Mahomes even complained to opposing QB Josh Allen about the call when the two met to shake hands — a moment that’s usually a display of sportsmanship.
“Wildest f***ing call I’ve ever seen,” Mahomes is heard saying to Allen, in video captured by WROC-TV Sports Director Thad Brown. “Offensive offsides on that play, man. F***ing terrible.”
Allen pats Mahomes on the chest and walks away.
Patrick Mahomes was still upset about the offside call meeting with Josh Allen after the game. #Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/6TYGJ1xnS9
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) December 11, 2023
Further video shows Mahomes being held back by teammates while he yells about the referees and their call.
Patrick Mahomes was NOT happy on the sideline pic.twitter.com/kFdVMF7PrM
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 11, 2023
Even after Mahomes had time to cool off, the QB continued to complain about the call during a post-game presser.
Mahomes seemed to acknowledge that his teammate Kadarius Toney was indeed offsides, but argued that referees rarely make such a call without at least giving a warning. He also expressed anger that teammate Travis Kelce’s impressive catch and pitch backward to Toney, who ran it in for a touchdown, was negated by the offsides call.
“I mean, he [Toney] probably is barely offsides, but for the [referee] to take the game into his hands over a call like that, that doesn’t affect the play at all — at all, didn’t affect anything. I mean, it’s just tough,” Mahomes told the press.
#Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes when asked about Von Miller being offsides. He gives his thoughts on the officiating crew today. pic.twitter.com/YwmQhMXbAp
— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) December 11, 2023
Fans online ripped Mahomes for whining about the call, which most viewed as correct. Likewise, sports commentators criticized Mahomes for taking his anger out on the referrers, instead of Toney, who they argued cost the Chiefs the game.
“I lost a little respect for Patrick Mahomes,” Sal Iacono reacted. “And I love that guy.” He added offensive offsides is not something that’s “never called,” like Mahomes insisted. “They called it twice last year, they called it 11 times this year — so they definitely call that,” Iacono said.
“I lost a little respect for Patrick Mahomes.”@BillSimmons and @TheCousinSal react to Mahomes’s meltdown in yesterday’s loss to Buffalo: pic.twitter.com/5lSHpta22I
— The Ringer (@ringer) December 11, 2023
“Beyond insane thing to say to the opposing QB after the game,” posted Sports By The Book’s Jeff Parles, reacting to Mahome’s interaction with Allen.
Beyond insane thing to say to the opposing QB after the game https://t.co/S1amLXBCzv
— Jeff Parles (@jeffparles) December 11, 2023
“This is such a terrible look for Mahomes,” ESPN Radio host Jake Asman said. “Funniest thing is that it was the right call too and he gets more calls going his way than anybody!”
“I get why super star QB Patrick Mahomes is upset, but he’s dead wrong,” former NFL player Ryan Clark wrote. “The officials weren’t. Now in that moment would you rather an official not throw the flag? Hell ya, but it’s not their job to see in to the future & know that throwing this flag negates one of the greatest improv plays in football history away.”
“Patrick is the ultimate teammate and has continually covered for his guys, & accepted accountability for so many things that aren’t his fault,” Clark continued. “He finally cracked, & took out his frustrations on the officials. They didn’t deserve it but the wide outs that constantly cost this team games definitely do!”
I get why super star QB Patrick Mahomes is upset, but he’s dead wrong. The officials weren’t. Now in that moment would you rather an official not throw the flag? Hell ya, but it’s not their job to see in to the future & know that throwing this flag negates one of the greatest… pic.twitter.com/sWueASDKa1
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) December 11, 2023
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