NFL referee returns to Arrowhead Stadium for first time since infamous penalty
While Dec. 10, 2023, might not be a date that sticks out in the minds of Chiefs fans, it was a memorable day at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
That’s when fans learned about offensive offsides.
Kadairus Toney was flagged for lining up offsides, wiping out his electric last-minute touchdown on a lateral from tight end Travis Kelce during a loss to the Buffalo Bills.
“It’s obviously tough to swallow,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said afterward. “Not only for me but just for football in general to take away greatness like that. ...
“To have a flag change the outcome of a game in that moment. I’ve played seven years and never had offensive offsides called.”
While he didn’t throw the flag, the referee in that game was Carl Cheffers, and he’ll be back at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday for the first time since that day.
The NFL assigned Cheffers to work the Chiefs-Texans game, according to Football Zebras, and KC fans were less than thrilled at that news.
Cheffers also infuriated Chiefs fans in a game he worked at Arrowhead Stadium prior to last year’s Bills contest.
During a “Monday Night Football” game at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 10, 2022, Cheffers ruled that a strip-sack and fumble recovery by Chris Jones against the Raiders was instead roughing the passer.
Chiefs fans loudly booed Cheffers the rest of the night.
There was also the penalty discrepancy against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, which Cheffers worked. And in a 2017 playoff game against the Steelers, Cheffers’ holding call on the Chiefs nullified a game-tying two-point conversion in a loss to the Steelers.
On the plus side, Cheffers worked Super Bowl LVII, which the Chiefs won and that game had a controversial call that went KC’s way.
But fans were not happy to hear he’d be working Saturday’s game. This is a snapshot of what was being said on X.
This story was originally published December 19, 2024 at 10:43 AM.
