NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference ahead of the Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 03, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chris Graythen, Getty Images/AFP
NEW ORLEANS -- NFL chief Roger Goodell laughed off claims the Kansas City Chiefs receive preferential treatment from league referees on Monday as the countdown towards the Super Bowl got under way in New Orleans.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are chasing an unprecedented hat-trick of NFL championships on Sunday when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles at the Caesars Superdome.
The Chiefs' journey to Sunday's NFL showpiece in the Big Easy has been accompanied by persistent claims from rival fans that the defending champions have benefited from a string of generous officiating decisions.
NFL commissioner Goodell however brushed off any questioning of referees on Monday as he spoke to media in his traditional pre-Super Bowl address, dismissing the social media-driven conspiracy theories as "ridiculous".
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"This sort of reminds me a little bit of 'the script', right? That I write the script for the entire season," Goodell joked.
"A lot of these theories are things that happen in social media and get life.
"I think it reflects a lot of the fans passion, and I think it's it also is a reminder for us how important officiating is.
"I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards. It's a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously."
Nevertheless, Goodell said, the criticism directed at referees served as a reminder to uphold standards of officiating.
"At the end of the day, you know it's something we always have to continue to work on. How do we make our officiating better at all times?" Goodell said.
Goodell also pointed out the Chiefs' 15-2 regular season record had contained a number of narrow contests where the margin of victory was only one score.
"I think that talks about the competitiveness of our game and the importance of how we officiate it, but also the competitiveness of how we play it," Goodell said.
During Kansas City's playoff victory over the Houston Texans last month, referees were accused of giving excessive protection to Chiefs quarterback Mahomes, prompting Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. to describe the game as "us versus the refs."
Officiating came under scrutiny again in the Chiefs AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills, when two key calls went in favor of Kansas City at key moments of the game.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid meanwhile said the reigning champions had paid little attention to the controversy while voicing support to refs.
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"Everything balances out. You got a human element there with the officials," Reid said.
"These guys are trying to do the best job that they possibly can out there. They take a lot of heat one way or the other. I don’t pay much attention to it."
© Agence France-Presse