Three-time Super Bowl champion and current announcer Troy Aikman led the chorus of criticism against superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes for “failing” during the Kansas City Chiefs’ controversial victory over the Houston Texans on Saturday.
After seeing the Texans flagged for roughness earlier in the National Football League playoff game, Mahomes appeared to dramatically throw himself to the ground during a fourth-quarter play that drew the ire of pundits and fans alike .
In the ESPN commentary booth, analyst Aikman said, “He’s trying to take the penalty. Rather than going out of bounds, he slows down. And that’s the frustration, and I understand. I understand it. This has been the frustration of these defensive players around the league.
The Texans were not penalized for this play, but that did not stop the wave of outrage on social media from fans exasperated by such antics in American football, with two separate calls earlier in the match in favor of the Chiefs adding to the feeling of injustice. .
More Aikman.
“He’s trying to get the penalty. Rather than going out of bounds, he slows down. And that’s the frustration and I understand. I understand that. That’s the frustration of these defensive players in the league.” https://t.co/rzfAXSaz6o pic.twitter.com/LilHhaI2Bh
– Awful Announcement (@awfulannouncing) January 18, 2025
Aikman had said he “couldn’t disagree more” with the decision to penalize Houston’s Henry To’oTo’o and Folorunso Fatukasi for a hit on Mahomes in the third quarter, saying the quarterback had become a “runner » during the game, meaning rules designed to protect the QB should not apply. Russell Yurk, ESPN’s on-air rules expert, also said he didn’t believe Houston players hit Mahomes when he fell, but rather they were hitting each other, with Mahomes below them. The Chiefs took advantage of the decision and scored a touchdown to give them a 20-12 lead.
Earlier in the contest, Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. also felt aggrieved when he was flagged for roughing the passer on an incomplete pass from Mahomes. That drive ended with a field goal that gave the Chiefs a 6-3 lead, and Anderson Jr was blunt in his postgame assessment, telling reporters that “we knew it was going to be us against the refs before this match.
Russell Yurk, ESPN rules analyst: “It looked like that first contact was in the upper chest. I didn’t see anything there that would warrant a foul.”
Troy Aikman: “I agree with you, Russell. From that perspective, I don’t see helmet-to-helmet… A significant penalty.” #NFL pic.twitter.com/xt2nmDPqfg
– Awful Announcement (@awfulannouncing) January 18, 2025
Although NFL players can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, there are no official rules specifically prohibiting “flopping” or “diving.” Aikman urged the NFL to change the rules, saying, “They need to fix it in the offseason. »
Kansas City won the game 23-14 to advance to the AFC Championship Game, where they await the winners of Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. Also Saturday, the Washington Commanders and their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels pulled off a huge upset to reach the NFC Championship Game with a victory over the top-seeded Detroit Lions. The Commanders will next face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Philadelphia Eagles.
After winning the previous two showcases, the Chiefs have a chance for an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl victory, with Mahomes seeking a fourth crown overall.
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