It was a crucial 3rd and 8 on the Eagles 15 yard line with 1:54 remaining in the game, tied 35-35.
The world would watch as Patrick Mahomes’ pass would sail way over JuJu Smith-Schuster’s head – only to see a yellow flag come flying in seconds later.
Defensive holding on Eagles cornerback James Bradberry, resulting in an automatic first down.
Was it a penalty? – YES.
Should it have been called? – NO.
Did it decide the game? – NO.
Yes, the call may have “ended” the game – Harrison Butker’s 27 yard field goal with 8 seconds left would make sure of that.
But the game was decided way before then – The Eagles were a virtual no-show in the second half, thanks to the tremendous adjustments made by Kansas City.
The vaunted Eagles defense simply could not stop Mahomes and the Chiefs offense who scored on all four of their second half possessions, outscoring Philadelphia 24-11 in the process.
Most dissapointing for the Eagles is the fact that their league-best pass rush was invisible all night and recorded ZERO sacks, despite entering the game with 78 on the season (third best all-time).
As far as the penalty, I’m a firm believe that you can NOT throw a flag in THAT spot on THAT stage…
The refs ruined one of the greatest games ever. pic.twitter.com/eMnj8wPJon
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) February 13, 2023
Referee Carl Cheffers strongly defended the call after the game: “The receiver went to the inside and he was attempting to release to the outside. The defender grabbed the jersey with his right hand and restricted him from releasing to the outside. So, therefore, we called defensive holding… It was a clear case of a jersey grab that caused restriction. There was no debate.”
NFL is rigged. Chiefs have no right to the title of World Champions
— Hilda Gang 4MVS (@Javinorr527) February 13, 2023
The refs were doing such a great job letting the boys play.
That call is actual bull shit and should have never been called.
Embarrassing.
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) February 13, 2023
Hey @NFLOfficiating pic.twitter.com/dVpGXEXB1I
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 13, 2023
The fact that the two best teams in the league were throwing haymakers at each other for 58 minutes only for the refs to basically decide the game is really a tragedy.
No professional sports season should end like this.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) February 13, 2023
That was about to be an all-time classic, and now all I'm going to remember that game for is that call 🥲
— Daily Dose (@ddofinternet) February 13, 2023
one of the best super bowls I’ve watched ruined by the refs😂
— timthetatman👑 (@timthetatman) February 13, 2023
Kansas City literally gets bailed out by the refs every close game
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) February 13, 2023
Refs win the bowl again
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) February 13, 2023
The refs when the Eagles were about to get the ball back pic.twitter.com/kHo6pV6372
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) February 13, 2023
Such a great game ruined at the end by the refs/NFL at the very end to gift the #Chiefs the win.
Jalen Hurts was going to be the MVP, clearly outplayed any player in this game including Mahomes but the refs had to ruin it.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 13, 2023
The Refs coming back to the NFL headquarters after blowing the fucking game pic.twitter.com/UWleJ2uY0i
— ReseToMathurin💛💙 (@ReseToMathurin) February 13, 2023
The Refs coming in last second to ruin the #SuperBowl: pic.twitter.com/GyBPKKF6TR
— Danny Armstrong (@DArmstrong44) February 13, 2023
Hahaha how are the refs gonna call nothing all night then call that.
— Ryan Jensen (@sinjen66) February 13, 2023
There’s something so fundamentally wrong with a game like this where athletes give their all for 58 minutes and play to a 35-35 tie, and then one ref’s bullshit whistle decides the winner.@NFL, you lost tonight.
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) February 13, 2023
https://twitter.com/NBCSPhilly/status/1624978048637345798