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By Kate Nalepinski
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The Kansas City Chiefs' dramatic victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship has sparked a boycott of Super Bowl LIX and a petition aimed at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Viewers' frustrations with referee biases, an ongoing issue throughout the season for some, appeared to reach a peak during the game on January 26. On Sunday, the Chiefs won 32-29 over the Bills in the AFC. The backlash stems from allegations of referee favoritism, with fans pointing to controversial calls that shaped the game's outcome.
Newsweek reached out to the NFL via email for comment.
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Why It Matters
In the past, allegations of officiating bias have plagued the NFL, but the AFC Championship game reignited some of the concerns. A successful fan-driven boycott could impact viewership metrics, sending a message about the need for greater accountability.
During the game, Bills quarterback Josh Allen appeared to gain the necessary yardage for a first down on a fourth-quarter play, but officials ruled it a turnover on downs.
Many fans, analysts, and even CBS broadcasters Jim Nantz and Gene Steratore disagreed with the call. Shortly afterward, the Chiefs scored a touchdown, fueling accusations that the game was skewed in their favor​. Earlier in the match, a catch by Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was upheld, which continued the allegations of referee bias.
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What To Know
The Change.org petition, "Boycott NFL Games Until Adequate Officiating Fairness Measures Are Implemented," was created on January 26. As of January 28, it currently has 100 signatures.
"For many of us, the National Football League (NFL) has been a source of positivity and joy over the years," the petition reads. "However, a growing concern over the inconsistent refereeing, particularly evident while observing games involving the Kansas City Chiefs, is tarnishing this beautiful sport's spirit."
The petition says that frustrations have prompted many to boycott the Super Bowl and future games until there's a significant change in refereeing. Conversations about boycotting the NFL and this year's Super Bowl have also taken off on Reddit, where users in forums have hosted debates over the viability of a potential boycott.
What People Are Saying
On X, formerly Twitter, #boycottsuperbowl was a trending term across the United States on January 27, with over 17,000 tweets from users expressing their thoughts on the movement.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was a vocal critic of the calls made in the AFC Championship game. Portnoy shared a video on X of the fourth-down play involving Allen and described it as "disgusting" in a video rant.
"I'm not watching football ever again. I quit football. I quit," he said in the video, captioned, "There is no other way to teach @nflcommish a lesson. This is blatant cheating #nflrigged."
What Happens Next
The NFL has yet to issue a response to the backlash.
In the meantime, Super Bowl LIX will take place on February 9. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, with the game airing live on FOX. Despite the controversy, it is expected to draw millions of viewers as the Chiefs pursue a historic three-peat against the Eagles.
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