Dave Portnoy blames controversial officiating for 'ruining' Patrick Mahomes' reputation
Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports' outspoken founder, led a chorus of criticism against Patrick Mahomes. The two-time MVP faced accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct during crucial moments of the divisional round matchup.
The chiefs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Kansas City Chiefs' quest for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl took a controversial turn during their 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans on Saturday.
The game's pivotal moment unfolded in the fourth quarter, with Kansas City clinging to a narrow 13-12 lead. On a second-and-goal play, Mahomes ran toward the sideline, deliberately slowing down before stepping out of bounds.
After watching the Chiefs quarterback raise his arms and fall following contact from Houston's Henry To'oTo'o, Portnoy didn't mince his words.
"Maholmes is a great player. No need to disgrace the game and ruin his legacy with this flopping bulls***," Portnoy tweeted.
The controversial sequence ended with a touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. Although officials didn't throw a flag on the play, it sparked immediate backlash across social media platforms.
Officials' calls leave Texans questioning fairness in game against Patrick Mahomes and Co.
The disputed fourth-quarter incident was part of a larger pattern that drew ESPN analyst Troy Aikman's attention.
"He's trying to draw the penalty. Rather than just run out of bounds, he slows down," Aikman said during the broadcast. "That's been the frustration for these defensive players around the league."
Earlier in the game, Henry To'oTo'o received an unnecessary roughness penalty for hitting a sliding Patrick Mahomes. Another contentious call saw Will Anderson Jr. penalized for roughing the passer after contact just after the ball's release.
The disparity in penalties told its own story. Houston accumulated eight accepted penalties for 82 yards, while Kansas City had just four for 29 yards. This negative-four accepted penalty margin tied the Chiefs' largest advantage of the season.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed similar frustration.
"We knew going into this game, man, it was us versus everybody," Ryans said to reporters after the game. "When I say everybody, I mean everybody. The naysayers, the doubt."
The controversy overshadowed other key aspects of Houston's defeat. Their rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud endured eight sacks, while kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn struggled with two missed kicks and a blocked field goal attempt.
As Kansas City advanced to the AFC championship, the debate intensified around Mahomes' tactics and officiating at Arrowhead Stadium. Portnoy's final verdict summed up many critics' views.
"The good news is the Texans are dominating and their defense is flying around. The bad news is the refs are cheating and they are losing," Portnoy tweeted.
The controversy adds another layer to an already intense playoff season, raising questions about the balance between competitive advantage and sportsmanship.