The National Football League (NFL) issued fines to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes totaling $150,000 for their criticism of the referees following the Chiefs’ loss to the Buffalo Bills by a score of 20-17 the previous week, according to reports from ESPN and NFL Network on Saturday.
According to the reports, Reid was given a fine of $100,000, and Mahomes was given a fine of $50,000.
The refs called a rare offsides penalty on wide receiver Kadarius Toney, which negated a 49-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the game against the Buffalo Bills the previous week. Mahomes could not contain his anger after the referees made the decision.
On Sunday, Reid referred to the call as “a bit embarrassing” due to the fact that he did not receive what he considered to be the typical warning from the lead official to the head coach on alignment issues, which included offensive offsides.
Mahomes criticized the officials to anyone who would listen, including the quarterback of the Bills, Josh Allen, while they were shaking hands on the field after the game is over.
“This is yet another game, and we are discussing the referees. This is not what we want for the National Football League. For the sport of football, this is not what we want,” Mahomes added.
However, Reid retracted his statements the following day after Toney, who was obviously in the wrong position, failed to check with the side judge to ensure that he was positioned correctly along the line.
During the play in question, Mahomes made a significant gain by hitting tight end Travis Kelce, and Kelce continued the play by throwing a legal overhand lateral to Toney. Toney, who had caught the ball at the Bills’ 25-yard line, dashed into the end zone before the Chiefs noticed the flag that had been lowered at the line of scrimmage for offensive offsides.
If the Chiefs had been awarded the extra point, the touchdown would have given them a lead of 23-20.