Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed the complaints about the officiating in his team’s playoff game against the Houston Texans. There were two penalties for hits on Mahomes that sparked criticism towards the referees. Mahomes himself acknowledged that there were questionable calls in the game but emphasized that referees are doing their best to make the right decisions. However, some fans accused Mahomes of “flopping” to draw penalties after he fell to the ground lightly brushed by defenders. Mahomes admitted that he probably should not have done that and promised to avoid unnecessary hits in the future. Referee Clay Martin explained the calls, saying that one penalty was due to forcible contact to the face mask area, while the other was related to the hairline. Despite the controversy, Mahomes remained focused on the game and staying smart to avoid unnecessary hits. The debate over the officiating and Mahomes’ actions continued even after the game, with ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman criticizing Mahomes for trying to draw penalties. In response, Mahomes accepted some fault but also defended his actions as an attempt to avoid being hit. The quarterback expressed his intention to continue playing smart and avoiding unnecessary risks to stay in the game.
Source
Photo credit www.foxnews.com
Patrick Mahomes clarifies flopping and referee favoritism accusations following backlash from penalties
