FURIOUS football fans claimed the Super Bowl was “rigged” after a controversial late call went the way of Kansas City.
The Chiefs ran out 38-35 winners on a dramatic night at State Farm Stadium in Arizona.
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The play in question occurred late in the fourth quarterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
James Bradberry was called for a controversial holding penalty on JuJu Smith-SchusterCredit: Getty
Some fans were outraged that such soft contact brought a crucial third-down penaltyCredit: FOX Sports
Patrick Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP after engineering a fightback from 10 points down to claim his second ring.
It gave the Chiefs – appearing in their third Super Bowl in four years – a famous win to add to their previous triumphs in 1969 and 2019.
However, one call from the officials late in the contest gave some fans reason to believe the game was “rigged.”
The play in question came in the fourth quarter, with just 1:54 left on the clock.
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Mahomes and the Chiefs faced a 3rd-and-8 at the Eagles’ 15-yard line, with the score tied at 35-35.
MVP Mahomes looked for JuJu Smith-Schuster on the play, hoping to score a potentially game-winning touchdown.
But his pass was overthrown and incomplete, with the Chiefs facing a fourth down and having to get their defense back on the field.
The officials thought otherwise though, seeing a small tug on Smith-Schuster from Eagles corner James Bradberry as the receiver looked to get out of his break.NFL Hall of Fame controversy after Chiefs legend who killed wife is nominated
That resulted in a controversial defensive holding penalty, effectively icing the game for the Chiefs by gifting them a new set of downs.
Mahomes and Co worked the clock down to the final few seconds before kicking the game-winning FG.
Social media erupted after the play, with some fans accusing the NFL of “cheating” by handing the game to the Chiefs.
Sharing footage of the play, one wrote: “This holding call here against the Eagles is proof that the NFL is rigged.”
Another raged: “This is why I’m not an NFL fan any more.”
While a third said: “Not the Chiefs cheating their way to a Super Bowl win.”
However following the contest, Bradberry admitted that he had tugged Smith-Schuster’s jersey during the early stages of the play.
He told reporters: “I pulled on his jersey. They called it.
“I was hoping they would let it ride.”
And plenty of fans were in agreement, believing that the call was the correct one.
One wrote: “Bradberry holding Juju’s jersey as he attempts to get out of his break. This is by rule a hold. The idea that the refs should have just ignored this because it’s the Super Bowl is silly. Like it or not, it’s the correct call.”
Another responded: “He did pull the jersey in plain sight. It’s the right call. Plus they were already in FG range.”
