NFL Fans Are Demanding Prominent Referee's Firing On Sunday

01/19/2025 09:20 AM

NFL fans are demanding a prominent referee's firing after a controversial performance on Saturday.

The Chiefs beat the Texans, 23-14, in the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs on Saturday. Kansas City has advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the seventh year in a row. But while Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co. made the plays when they needed to, many in the NFL believe that they were helped by some questionable at-best officiating decisions. And it's hard to argue with that.

There were multiple bad calls on Sunday. There was a bad roughing the passer penalty on a light hit on Mahomes in the first half. There was then a ridiculous late hit penalty on the Texans, after Mahomes slid extremely late and caused two Houston defensive players to collide with each other.

"Oh come on," ESPN announcer Troy Aikman said after the late hit penalty. "I mean, he's a runner. I could not disagree with that one more. He barely gets hit."

NFL fans accused the game of being "rigged."

Veteran NFL official Clay Martin was leading the crew for the Chiefs vs. Texans game on Saturday afternoon. NFL fans are now calling for his firing on Sunday morning.

"Calls are in to fire referee Clay Martin who helped the Chiefs win the game! He's done this over and over! He does Mahomes and Reid's bidding! This needs investigation!" one fan wrote.

"Fire Clay Martin… incompetent at best, corrupt at worst," one fan added.

"Fire that loser Clay Martin ASAP. Buddy is OBVIOUSLY Mahomes biggest fan," one fan added.

"Fire that piece of trash Clay Martin! He should have to wear a Chiefs jersey at this point," one fan wrote.

"Fire Clay Martin. How much money does Clay Martin have on the game. He is becoming the Angel Hernandez of the NFL .Come on where is the replay assist," another fan wrote.

MVP (The Chiefs are 6-0 with Clay Martin) pic.twitter.com/EmLZRJYpJP

— Kevin Massare (@KevinMassare) January 18, 2025

The Chiefs are a really good team, but you can't help but notice some of the help they get during these big games.

Hopefully, the officiating crew for the AFC Championship Game next weekend is less controversial.

Kansas City will be facing either Buffalo or Baltimore in the conference title game next Sunday, at Arrowhead Stadium.