Bills Central

Why officials from the Bills vs. Chiefs didn't have to answer for horrible calls

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 32-29 last night in the AFC Championship game, a contest marred by several controversial calls in crucial moments.

Brian Letscher

Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; NFL referee Clete Blakeman during the New England Patriots game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 20, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; NFL referee Clete Blakeman during the New England Patriots game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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As the AFC Championship game approached, there was a lot of chatter about how poor the officiating can be at big moments in big games, particularly when involving the Kansas City Chiefs. And last night certainly lived up to that hype with a host of highly questionable calls at critical times - all of them went against the Bills.

So with the understandable emotions for teams and fans alike surrounding NFL officiating -- again, in a HUGE game -- why were the refs nowhere to be found after last nights game? Millions of people, who drive television ratings and buy tickets and merch, wanted to know how on earth they could miss that spot on the Bills 4th down?

NFL officials only address calls on the field after games when they are requested by the media.

Last night, there was no request made. Why there was no request is certainly a question but another is why aren't referees required to be available after the game automatically?

The NFL would do well to make referees automatically available to the media after each game the way they do with players and coaches. If they want to be so involved on big plays, and get them wrong as they did last night, then they should have to face the questions afterward.

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Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

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