After NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell refuted officiating conspiracy theories regarding favoritism toward the Kansas City Chiefs in the lead-up to Super Bowl LIX, the NFL Referees Association has now released an official statement.
In a comment released on Tuesday, NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green reasserted Goodell’s comments from his annual Super Bowl media availability and assured fans of an “unwavering dedication to fairness and maintaining the integrity of the game.”
“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL Officials are not doing everything possible to make the right call one very play is spot on,” said Scott Green, Executive Director of the NFLRA.
“Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season,” he continued. “It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.”
The statement explained how NFL officials become great every week by officiating every single play. Their grades determine which referees receive postseason assignments, so fans can expect the best of the best from Super Bowl LIX’s crew, headlined by referee Ron Torbert.
“There are many things that fans can worry about over a 17-game season, such as coaching decisions, player injuries, the weather and, yes, even close calls on incredible plays made by incredible athletes,” Green said. “But you can rest assured that on every single down, NFL Officials, both on the field and in the replay booth are doing everything humanly possible to officiate every play correctly.”
At the heart of his statement, Green sought to reassure fans and support the league commissioner, but his message will likely go unheeded. Those who are convinced of some sort of bias will not be swayed by statements from league officials, no matter how logical or sincere. They’ll have to see it play out on the football field and at the expense of Kansas City, which in and of itself is an ask for the type of unfairness they seem to be lobbying against.