The Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs secured an exhilarating 38-35 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday to win Super Bowl LVII. However, the biggest game of the NFL 2022-23 season did not end without controversy. The two teams were tied at 35 each late in the fourth quarter with a little less than two minutes left on the clock. Mahomes drove the Chiefs to the Eagles’ 15-yard-line, as he targeted JuJu Smith-Schuter in the left corner towards the end zone on a 3rd-and-8. However, the football was overthrown and Philadelphia’s cornerback James Bradberry was called out by the officials for holding. Unfortunately, the game-changing decision from the referees triggered a controversy among Eagles fans, who were not happy with the last-minute call. The controversial call also left an NBA coach threatening to ‘kill’ the NFL officials in the shocking aftermath of the Super Bowl championship.

Kansas City managed to hold onto the possession until the end of the game before Harrison Butker kicked a field goal that ensured a victory for the Chiefs. Moreover, the referees also clarified after the game that it was a ‘clear case of a jersey grab that caused restriction’. However, the controversial call riled up avid Eagles fan and Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who did not seem too happy with the decision.

Cavs coach issues thinly veiled threats to NFL referees

As reported by Sports Illustrated’s senior writer Chris Mannix, “J.B. Bickerstaff — Cavs coach and unabashed Eagles fan — verbally sparring with reporters at pregame presser over the end of Eagles-Chiefs. NBA fines coaches for ripping its referees. Of NFL refs, says Bickerstaff, “I can kill them.”

Bickerstaff was unhappy with the controversial decision made by the NFL referees with very little time left on the clock. Moreover, during his verbal debate with the reporters, Bickerstaff was so frustrated that he ended up threatening to ‘kill’ the referees over the decision that lead to an unfortunate loss for the Philadelphia Eagles. NBA fines coaches for speaking up against the decisions of the officials. However, there are no restrictions in speaking about referees in other leagues. And Bickerstaff seemed to have taken full advantage of that.

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Moreover, many Eagles fans believe that if the penalty had not been called by the referee, the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs would have probably kicked the field goal. However, the Eagles would have gotten possession of the ball, with a chance of winning or tying the game in the final few seconds.

Bradberry and Eagles coach back the referee’s decision

After the loss, James Bradberry accepted his mistake and agreed with the decision made by the officials. The Eagles cornerback stated, “I pulled on his jersey. They called it. I was hoping they would let it ride.”

Moreover, Philadelphia’s head coach Nick Sirianni also refrained from blaming the referees. He also praised the Chiefs for being a better team during the night. Sirianni said, “It’s not my job to make the call. … There’s so many plays that contribute to the end result of the game and today they were better than we were.”

However, Bickerstaff disagreed with the Eagles’ coach and cornerback, who thought the referee had made a fair call.