Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is firing back at accusations of preferential treatment from officials as his team inches closer to a potential Super Bowl appearance. After a dominant 15-2 regular season and a hard-fought 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round, Mahomes addressed growing criticism surrounding referee calls that some claim have favored the Chiefs.
Mahomes, who has led the Chiefs to a near championship berth, remains unfazed by the ongoing chatter about officiating, especially from fans outside of Kansas City. On his weekly guest spot on local radio, the 29-year-old quarterback shared his perspective on the controversy.
“I’ve kind of learned that no matter what happens during the game, something’s going to come out about it if you win and keep winning, so I don’t really pay attention to it,” Mahomes said on his weekly guest spot for local radio. “Obviously, I’ve been on both sides of how I felt the calls were made, but at the end of the day, those guys are doing their best to make the best calls and let the players decide the game. That’s what decides the outcome.”
Mahomes’ remarks come as the Chiefs prepare to face the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26. With a Super Bowl berth on the line, the quarterback’s focus remains squarely on the field, despite the growing scrutiny of officiating decisions.
Mahomes did acknowledge that certain calls, including a controversial roughing-the-passer penalty, have sparked debate, particularly among Texans fans. The penalty, one of two that helped swing momentum in the Chiefs’ favor, was met with significant backlash. Even Mahomes himself seemed to agree that one of the calls crossed the line.
“I would say the only one I felt I probably did too much was the one on the sideline,” Mahomes said, referring to a play where he avoided a hit from a Texans defender. “The ref saw it and didn’t throw a flag, and I understood immediately that I probably shouldn’t have done that. But at the same time, the one everyone’s talking about where I fell down—I was just trying to get out of the way of a defensive lineman who was about to hit me.”
Mahomes explained that his goal was simply to avoid taking unnecessary hits. “I’ll keep doing that to stay in the game,” he said. “That’s the smart way to play football.”
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Despite the penalty controversy, Mahomes and the Chiefs secured a crucial win, advancing to the AFC Championship. Tight end Travis Kelce was a standout performer in the victory, hauling in seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Kelce’s strong showing was celebrated by an enthusiastic group of supporters, including girlfriend Taylor Swift and special guest Caitlin Clark. Meanwhile, Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, who had given birth to their third child just days earlier, kept up the couple’s tradition of sharing a pre-game kiss.
While Chiefs fans were elated by the win, Texans fans were left fuming over what they viewed as missed or questionable calls. Two roughing-the-passer penalties, in particular, were seen as pivotal moments that shifted the game’s momentum.
The controversy surrounding the officiating has fueled a larger conversation about the consistency and fairness of calls in high-stakes playoff games. Mahomes, however, remained calm and diplomatic, reiterating that the ultimate outcome of the game is determined by the players on the field, not the referees.
“At the end of the day, those guys are out there trying their best to make the right calls,” Mahomes said. “There’s going to be calls people disagree with, but there’s also a lot of other plays that really decide the outcome of the game.”
Looking ahead, Mahomes and the Chiefs are focused on their upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills. With a trip to the Super Bowl on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But as the spotlight intensifies, Mahomes remains resolute in his belief that the focus should stay on the players and their performances, not the officiating.
The AFC Championship Game, set to take place on Sunday, Jan. 26, will be another chance for Mahomes and the Chiefs to prove they belong on the sport’s biggest stage. With the noise around referee calls growing louder, Mahomes’ message is clear: stay focused on what matters most—winning on the field.
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As the Chiefs march closer to a potential Super Bowl appearance, Mahomes’ leadership and perspective will continue to be key in navigating both the physical and mental challenges that lie ahead.
