Fans Debate Joseph Ossai’s Personal Foul on Patrick Mahomes

The critical penalty came in the closing moments of Sunday’s AFC championship game.

NFL fans and pundits erupted in debate Sunday night following a critical penalty on Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai for a hit on quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the closing moments of the Chiefs’ AFC championship victory.

With the game tied 20–20, Mahomes, who played with a high ankle sprain, and the Chiefs took the field on third-and-4 from the Cincinnati 47-yard line looking to get into field goal range with 17 seconds left in regulation. Mahomes surveyed the field before scrambling for a first down and picking up a few extra yards as he made his way toward the sidelines. However, almost simultaneously, Ossai caught up to Mahomes and shoved the star QB as he was going out of bounds, resulting in an unnecessary roughness penalty and an extra 15 yards.

The massive call positioned the Chiefs for a manageable field goal attempt, which kicker Harrison Butker booted through the uprights from 45 yards out for the win.

Mahomes gives it his all for the first down!

📺: #CINvsKC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/fM5ertlhHi pic.twitter.com/z78Phcfkyp

— NFL (@NFL) January 30, 2023

Moments after Butker’s kick, a visibly emotional Ossai, who appeared to injure his leg on the play, was seen sitting on the bench with his face in his hands as Arrowhead Stadium erupted into a frenzy.

I feel terribly for Joseph Ossai. Man is in tears on the sidelines. #nfl #nflplayoffs #AFCChampionshipGame pic.twitter.com/EVma7lXa3J

— Manny S. (@MMS0272) January 30, 2023

Given the timing and circumstances of Ossai’s play, the 22-year-old quickly became the subject of much debate on Twitter from viewers who questioned whether or not the penalty should’ve been called. There were also more than a few people voicing their support for Ossai in the midst of perhaps the toughest moment of the second-year pro’s young career.

Needless to say, the conversation surrounding Ossai and the overall officiating in the matchup will likely rage on in the days to come.

The Refs have been bad. But that was a CLEAR LATE HIT.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 30, 2023

You obviously dont follow sports. In two weeks is the Super Bowl, they traditionally call NOTHING… 1/2 the people watching dont even understand football… so yes, in that situation a good ref processes the play and keeps the flag in his pocket. https://t.co/uwE1Uz4CnE

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) January 30, 2023

You can’t call the late hit on Mahomes after you ignored the late hit on Burrow a few mins earlier. Those refs were horrible. They weren’t even fishy-bad more completely-incompetent-bad. Great work @NFL.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 30, 2023

Decision? You make open field tackles with instinct and not “decisions.” Ossai should not be raked for going all out. This was a game that was not tightly called. The rake needs to be on the officials who willingly decided the game. https://t.co/6atpnNL8av

— Brad Todd (@BradOnMessage) January 30, 2023

Gutty, gutty run by Mahomes. And man—he messed up but I feel bad for Ossai. Was having such a good game before that.

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 30, 2023

"penalty". Ossai was running at him. He couldn't just stop on a dime. I've seen that play happen a dozen times and not always called. Brutal to call it then.

— Govant: Professor of Tales (@WarriorGovant) January 30, 2023

Ossai gotta pull up … simple as that. Two steps out of bounds hard to say that shouldn’t be called

— 22Pilot (@8822capital) January 30, 2023

Ossai is breaking my heart

— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) January 30, 2023

Why even put yourself in that position to have that penalty called..

Chiefs had extra chance after extra chance

Ossai gave them one too many

— Jake - The Fantasy Headliners (@FntsyHeadliners) January 30, 2023

Feel horrible for Joseph Ossai. Wasn’t a malicious shot, but still clearly out of bounds. He played a great game.

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 30, 2023