NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was forced into speaking out on the recent claims that the league is rigged in favor of the Kansas City Chiefs Monday.
The Chiefs are heading to their fifth Super Bowl in six years on Sunday with a chance at a historic three-peat on the line when they face the Philadelphia Eagles down in New Orleans.
However, in recent weeks, some NFL fans have questioned the dominance Patrick Mahomes and Co., suggesting they had a helping hand from the league’s officials.
But Goodell slammed the Chiefs conspiracies when he was pressed on the accusations by reporters during a pre-Super Bowl press conference Monday.
‘This reminds me a little bit of the script – that I write a script for the entire season, right?’ he began.
‘A lot of those theories that are things that happen on social media and they get a lot of life. I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ pᴀssion. And it’s also a reminder for us how important officiating is. I I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards.’
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was forced into addressing the Chiefs conspiracies
The NFL has been accused of being rigged after the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl yet again
“That’s a ridiculous theory — for anyone who might take it seriously. But at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on: How do we make our officiating better?”- Roger Goodell when asked about public perception that referees are favoring the Chiefs pic.twitter.com/uA2YX7FE7s
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 3, 2025
‘That’s a ridiculous theory — for anyone who might take it seriously,’ he continued. ‘But at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on: How do we make our officiating better?’
Goodell was further quizzed on the league’s standards of officiating as he was asked how the NFL ensures there is no bias during on-field decisions.
‘I can’t tell you all the things that happen behind [the scenes], but our officials are evaluated in several ways,’ Goodell said. ‘
‘It’s not just the things that go on the field, but things that go on in their own lives. We have very тιԍнт controls over that and monitor it very closely in several ways. These officials are outstanding people. It’s a tough job. A really hard job. Half the group sees it one way and half the group sees it the other way. But I’ve never seen a group of people more dedicated to getting it right than our NFL officials.’
A number of calls throughout the postseason have led many, including the likes of Dave Portnoy, Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, to claim that the league has been rigged in the Chiefs’ favor.
Barstool founder Portnoy was one of the latest around the league to be left seething following the AFC Championship when he lost a staggering $1million thanks to the Chiefs’ win.
At the start of the fourth quarter the 47-year-old was left furious when Buffalo was controversially deemed to have missed out on a crucial first down, accusing NFL referees of ‘cheating’ to help Kansas City.
He shared a pH๏τo of the moment in the game and said: ‘Insane. #nflrigged’.
Referee Ron Torbert will head up the officiating crew for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
Meanwhile, a week prior fans on social media were also left livid with a number of controversial calls that went in the reigning champions’ favor during their Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans
And former Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless shared their fury as he appeared to suggest the game was rigged in order for the NFL to continue profiting from the Taylor Swift effect .
‘Ballgame. CONGRATS, NFL. YOU MADE SURE MAHOMES SURVIVED. THE SWIFTIES WILL BE BACK IN FULL FORCE FOR THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. YOU GAVE MAHOMES THE REFEREE SUPPORT HE NEEDED,’ Bayless aggressively posted to X.
Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes was met with backlash from many fans, including Portnoy, for ‘flopping.’
Read More I was in charge of NFL referees… here’s how I know there’s no bias towards the Chiefs 
The NFL has already unveiled its officiating crew for Super Bowl LIX with referee Ron Torbert set to head up the team in New Orleans.
Torbert was ᴀssigned to the NFL’s season finale after working the Washington Commander’s Divisional Round win over the Detroit Lions at the weekend.
It is the second Super Bowl ᴀssignment for the 61-year-old, who was the referee when the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at Super Bowl LVI in Inglewood, California .
The officiating crew also consists of umpire Mike Morton, down judge Max Causey, line judge Mark Stewart, field judge Mearl Robinson, side judge Boris Cheek, back judge Jonah Monroe and replay official Kevin Brown.
