NFL Referee Had 3-Word Message For Josh Allen On Bench
01/12/2025 08:02 PM
It's not every Sunday that you see NFL referees go to the sideline to speak with a quarterback on the bench during a game but that's exactly what happened during this weekend's Wild Card battle between the Bills and Broncos.
After missing a pretty blatant holding call on Denver's Patrick Surtain II, referee Bill Vinovich was spotted talking with Josh Allen during the ensuing timeout. But it wasn't to apologize, the QB said.
Asked about what went on during that conversation, Buffalo's MVP candidate shared that it had to do with some of his jawing after the play.
"I wasn't happy with what was going on and I was yelling a little bit, and he said, 'Don't be yelling.' So my bad. Sorry," Allen explained.
Bill Vinovich and Josh Allen having a chat pic.twitter.com/2LFbSXo6ua
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 12, 2025
Many suspected it was a case of favoritism and that Vinovich was coming over to the sideline to let Allen know that he'd be getting a makeup call.
"Head ref talking to a whining star QB on the sideline in the middle of a playoff game totally normal!" a user said.
"I have never seen a referee huddle with a QB after a blatant missed call during a game. And so friendly! Never," ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. replied.
"A photoshopped image of Mahomes kissing a ref is going to get more attention/views/clips than this video of something that actually happened," a fan pointed out.
"We all know what the reaction would have been if this was Mahomes instead."
Allen was definitely heated after the no-call when the Bills had to settle for three. Thankfully for them though it didn't end up making much of a difference in the final result.
The Bills advanced to the divisional round with a 31-7 win over Sean Payton and Denver and Allen played great — completing 20-of-26 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
They'll now face Lamar Jackson and the Ravens next week with a chance at making the conference championship for the first time since 2020.
Related: NFL Refs Already Blew Huge Call In Eagles vs. Packers
