Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid Fined For Officiating Comments After Loss To Buffalo Bills
The NFL fined Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid for criticizing the officiating in Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, Pro Football Talk reported.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Reid is being fined $100,000 "for violating long-standing league rules prohibiting public criticism of game officials."
Mahomes is being fined $50,000 "for unsportsmanlike conduct for abusive, threatening or insulting language to officials, plus violating long-standing league rules prohibiting public criticism of refs."
The source of the Chiefs' frustration came from a call on their final drive. An offsides penalty on receiver Kadarius Toney negated what would've been the go-ahead touchdown, where Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce who lateraled it back to Toney.
Mahomes was especially angry after the call, berating the officials and complaining about it to Bills quarterback Josh Allen before letting loose in his postgame presser.
Mahomes in disbelief after the call on Sunday.
"It's the call. Just in that moment. Not for myself," Mahomes said. "I know how much everybody puts into this game and to have a flag change the outcome of the game. I've played for seven years and I've never had offensive offsides called... Loss for words. Regardless if we win or lose, it's another game, we're talking about the refs. It's just not what we want for the NFL and for football."
Reid didn't make as much of a scene as Mahomes, but he too was unhappy with the call.
"Very disappointed that it ended the way it did," Reid said. "Normally I'll get -- I never use any of this as excuses, but normally I get a warning before something like that happens in a big game. (It's) a bit embarrassing in the National Football League for that to take place."
Criticizing the officials has always been frowned upon, and Mahomes and Reid won't be the last to be fined for such actions.
As of Saturday afternoon, it is not yet known how much either was fined.
