With the Super Bowl fast approaching, Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman isn’t just focused on the big game—he’s calling for a major fix to the NFL’s officiating problem.
As reported by Breitbart, the former Dallas Cowboys star made his stance clear during a recent appearance on SI Media with Jimmy Traina, voicing frustration over the league’s handling of crucial calls.
“I know the officials have a tough job. I mean, the scrutiny that they’re under. As we’ve gotten more advanced with instant replay, those guys, it seems, have become more and more scrutinized. And the game has not become less controversial. The game has become more controversial”
“I just think that we’re at a point that this has tipped a little bit because the league is partners with a number of these gambling services. Here you are promoting gambling — people are gambling more than they ever have before, and those types of calls – there’s a lot at stake regardless. But especially when you’re considering there’s a lot of money that’s changing hands with these calls as well.
“I think that we owe it to the fans that we get it right, and I think we’re at a point in time where we can. We can get it more right. So, that was really my position in just trying to lean on the NFL and say, ‘Hey, we gotta fix this. We gotta address it in the offseason..’”
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Aikman’s comments come amid growing frustration over questionable officiating in the playoffs, particularly favoring the Kansas City Chiefs. In both the Divisional Round against Houston and the AFC Championship against Buffalo, the Chiefs benefited from head-scratching rulings.
One of the most glaring moments came late in the Buffalo game. With the Bills clinging to a one-point lead and facing a crucial 4th & 1, quarterback Josh Allen’s sneak attempt was ruled short.
I’m quitting watching football. There is no other way to teach @nflcommish a lesson. This is blatant cheating. #nflrigged pic.twitter.com/fGzya6LOQX
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 27, 2025
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The call gave Kansas City the ball, leading to a game-sealing touchdown drive. Replays left many wondering if Allen had actually converted.
Brand new SI MEDIA PODCAST with Troy Aikman.
-Criticizing refs in Texans-Chiefs game
-Roughing the passer controversy
-Old Mahomes tweet
-Chiefs fatigue narrative
-Super Bowl expectations
-State of the CowboysApple: https://t.co/qAn4WLBEdf
YouTube: https://t.co/uPliHUIjsy pic.twitter.com/BbCAn4Yxyi— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) January 30, 2025
Earlier in the game, another bizarre ruling went the Chiefs’ way. A contested catch between Bills safety Cole Bishop and Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy was inexplicably awarded to Kansas City, despite the ball appearing to hit the ground.
Even after review, officials upheld the call, sparking outrage.
The Chiefs benefiting from game-altering officiating isn’t new. Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis has tracked playoff officiating trends and uncovered a striking pattern: since 2021, Kansas City has been assessed fewer penalties than their opponents in 10 of 11 postseason games.
Even more concerning, the majority of crucial 15-yard penalties and momentum-swinging calls have consistently gone in their favor.
Critics argue this trend raises serious questions about the league’s officiating integrity. Whether it’s incompetence, bias, or something more concerning, fans and analysts alike are demanding answers.
And with the NFL embracing sports betting like never before, the league’s credibility is on the line.
Aikman isn’t alone in his concerns. As controversial calls continue to pile up, the pressure is mounting on the NFL to make meaningful changes. The question is: will they?
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In-game betting has ruined ALL sports
It demonstrates how ignorant some people are. It needs to be made illegal but there is too much illgotten money with all the fists that have their hand out.
Gambling ruins peoples lives everyday. STOP SPORTS BETTING!
As a Broncos fan, I diagree with refs calls favoring any team. Can they improve their calling? Yes, we can all get better at our jobs. Would I like to see Broncos in the SB? Yes.
I see the three controversial calls in the Bill’s – Chief’s game were correct after reviews.
I agree that this whole gambling thing between the NFL and the gambling sites is absolutley WRONG. It has caused this whole controversy.
This is a sporting event people, not craps table!
NFL needs to stop endorsing gambling! The officiating needs to get better over all.
You have multiple camera angles on every play. There is no way collectively that the calls can be wrong!
I hear a bunch of sore losing whiners complaining. Losers because they lost money or losers because their team is getting beat.
Just relax and enjoy the game for what it is, entertainment. Stop betting on the games.
So Pete Rose is forever excluded from the HOF for placing bets, but the NFL partners with gambling houses. This nonsense is one of the reasons I quit watching the NFL. I now spend my Sundays fishing with my son (instead of the two of us staring at the tv) and I don’t regret it at all.