USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is brought down by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) during the first half in the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is brought down by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) during the first half in the AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
When it comes to officiating, this year’s NFL season has been filled with a lot of controversies. Fans have already claimed that the league is scripted and accused it of playing favorites. Furthermore, the league has also seen a huge rise in fans, and analysts blatantly criticize the referees for bad calls. The impression is that the league has gotten soft with the way fouls are being called. There has been a lot of controversial talk regarding the review system. In the vein of this, NFL analyst Warren Sharp revealed his brutal thoughts on the system.
Sharp went on to tackle the problem of calls that dealt with roughing the passer. He took to Twitter to reveal how the calls by the referees might have been wrong and uncalled for. As his tweet went viral, fans came forward with their own opinions and thoughts. Notably, Sharp had some brutal words for the league as a whole.
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Warren Sharp takes on the NFL in his latest take
Sharp has not held back as he criticized the calls the league made. His harsh judgment of the league came after he talked about the issue of roughing up the passer. His take spoke about how calls have seemingly become a lot softer. Furthermore, he marveled at how he was able to find double the amount of wrong calls in a 30-second video as compared to the league’s analysis of 80 calls. “the NFL is a total joke,” he mentioned.
the NFL is a total joke
they just said they “looked at 80 roughing the passer penalties and found only 3 were questionable”
here are SIX that I found in 30 seconds searching my own live tweets during the games, most of which their own ref analyst said were BS calls in real time pic.twitter.com/7HEhQKyXAl
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) February 27, 2023
Fans themselves agreed with Sharp’s take on the calls from the league. They took to Twitter to show solidarity with Sharp’s take and berated the league.
In their typical fashion, fans went on to absolutely chastise the league for its method of handling the different calls from referees.
Fans go off at the league and referees for their calls
NFL fans did not hold back as they went on to comment about how unfair the calls were. One fan commented on how most of the calls Sharp pointed out were uncalled for.
I think I'd agree with you on all of them except that one on Derek Carr – did seem like he put his body weight on him and he knows he's not allowed to do that. The others all just seemed like they were trying to make a play and bring the QB down.
— Matt DeSouza (@Cousin_M) February 27, 2023
Furthermore, fans also went into detail about how Sharp’s analysis was pretty spot on.
5/6 of those are bad calls.
The Grady Jarrett one was especially garbage, w/ Chris Jones a close 2nd.
Only one I kind of agree with is on Lawrence, because it’s late after the ball is out & he pulls Trevor Lawrence down by the front of his collar.
All of them are Charmin soft.
— Will Brown (@WilBrownImaging) February 27, 2023
There were also some comments about how the league uses these calls as a way to control outcomes.
You're looking at it through eyes of getting better and an honest review of performance.
They look at it to justify actions and solidify an agenda.
You're correct, unfortunately they control the narrative and what's next, part of which doesn't focus on full time, accountable refs— Slymsuknhogs (@slymsuknhogs) February 27, 2023
However, one fan outright claimed that the league fixes games through these bad calls.
Because it gives the league wiggle room to effect the outcome of the game.
— Edwin🎙️ (@EdwinSphere) February 27, 2023
Furthermore, fans also questioned the reason behind not challenging wrong calls during games.
It’s a real shame that they refuse to admit to an officiating issue. Are they that scared of the referee union?
— Allen (@heyitsmeallen) February 27, 2023
Fans also commented on specific scenarios displayed in the video.
That Lawrence one. I mean he just whined to the ref like a baby on that one, was half pulled down towards the turf in a belly flop that didn't have enough force to finish lol. Embarrassing.
— Kiwi golfer (@Kiwigolfer65) February 27, 2023
Finally, one fan showcased their resignation to another season of bad calls and unfair officiating.
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We're all in for another year of terrible calls all around and there's nothing we can do about it.
— B.Mur (@BMur_) February 27, 2023
Ultimately, Sharp’s analysis seemed to have added more fuel to the fans’ fiery anger against the kind of refereeing that was done throughout the season. Fans were not afraid to connect the unsatisfactory officiating to the NFL’s attempts to control the narrative that plays out. Some fans truly believe that the league is controlling the outcome of games to control the direction of the league.
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It is interesting to see how fans are placing blame on the referees as well as the league for how the officiating has been in this past season. However, only time will tell if the situation will improve in the upcoming season or if it’ll remain the same.
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