As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, some fans continue to push the narrative that the Chiefs receive favorable officiating. Many believe the referees will tilt the game in Kansas City’s favor, painting the team as the league’s “villains.”
Appearing on Fox & Friends on Friday, legendary quarterback and Fox’s lead in-game analyst Tom Brady dismissed those conspiracy theories, making his stance clear.
“I think it’s just all BS,” Brady stated bluntly, as reported by Ryan Gaydos of Fox News Digital. “It’s just a bunch of noise. These refs have very challenging jobs to do. I’m very happy Twitter didn’t exist during the ‘Tuck Rule Game’ in 2001, let me say that. I would’ve been on the wrong end on a lot of those. But these refs are out there trying to do their very best.”
Brady was referring to the infamous 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game, where he lost possession of the ball late in the fourth quarter. After a video review, officials ruled it an incomplete pass, stating his arm was moving forward at the time. Although the ruling ultimately benefited Brady’s New England Patriots, he admitted in May 2022 that “it might have been a fumble.”
Meanwhile, as Super Bowl week unfolded, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell rejected the idea that the league is orchestrating a Chiefs victory, calling such claims “a ridiculous theory.” The NFL Referees Association also defended its integrity, calling the accusations “insulting and preposterous,” emphasizing that 17 officiating crews and 138 officials do not conspire to favor any team.
Throughout his career, Brady himself was often accused of receiving favorable calls. Now, as a broadcaster and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, he must be mindful of league regulations regarding public commentary. On Friday, however, he made it clear where he stood in defense of the officials.
“They have to make decisions in a split second, and they’re going to call what they see. These guys are some of the most professional people on the field,” Brady said. “They just want to do a good job like everyone else. And look, sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don’t. In the end, over the course of a 140-play game on both sides of the ball, the players have plenty of opportunities to go out there and make an impact in the game, winning or losing, and that’s what I’m excited to see on Sunday night.”
Despite Brady’s comments, those who believe Super Bowl LIX is “scripted” will likely remain unconvinced.
