Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins at Super Bowl: ‘Are y’all gonna talk about the refs now?’
The Chiefs players heard about it all week in the Big Easy.
During news conferences leading up to Super Bowl LIX, reporters asked about the perception among fans, some media members and even a smattering of NFL players that the referees favor the Chiefs.
In the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss Sunday to the Eagles at the Caesars Superdome, Philadelphia was actually assessed one more penalty (eight to seven). But the Chiefs’ penalty yardage was greater than the Eagles’ (75 to 59).
Crucially, three of the Chiefs’ penalties resulted in first downs for the Eagles.
Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie was called for unnecessary roughness in the first quarter. That came after an incomplete pass on third-and-5. Philly’s drive continued and the Eagles scored the game’s first touchdown.
Late in the first half, Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton also was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Instead of the Eagles facing third-and-26, they had a first down.
Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was acquired in a midseason trade with the Tennessee Titans, wondered after the game if there would be questions about the NFL officiating.
“A loss is a loss,” Hopkins said. “It says ‘W’ or ‘L’ at the end of the day. Those guys beat us, so tough loss. It’s my first year being with the Chiefs and I saw a lot of things in the media about the refs, but what are you all going to say now about the refs and us?
“There was a lot of touchy calls. Are y’all going to report that? Are y’all going to talk about the refs now?”
That’s all Hopkins had to say on the matter.
It was the first time in Hopkins’ 12 NFL seasons that he played in the Super Bowl. He had two receptions for 18 yards with a touchdown catch. He also caught a two-point conversion pass from Patrick Mahomes.
This story was originally published February 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM.
