qq. NFL DROPS THE HAMMER: One day after Chiefs’ loss & fan riots over “rigged” Mahomes flag, league SUSPENDS Shawn Hochuli’s crew!
Following an intense wave of criticism from fans and experts, the NFL has officially announced the suspension of the officiating crew led by Shawn Hochuli, at least temporarily, in connection with the controversial “intentional grounding” penalty called on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
This decision comes just one day after the Bills’ 28-21 victory, which has been overshadowed by heated debates about the fairness of the officiating.
The incident occurred in the third quarter, when Mahomes was flagged for intentional grounding, despite slow-motion replay clearly showing the ball being tipped by a Bills defender’s hand before hitting the ground.
Referee Shawn Hochuli declared the play non-reviewable, resulting in the Chiefs losing a crucial drive and failing to close the score gap. Head coach Andy Reid attempted to challenge it, but the referee’s decision forced the team to halt, contributing to their eventual defeat.
The NFL community’s reaction erupted immediately. On platforms like X (Twitter) and Reddit, hashtags #InvestigateHochuli and #RiggedRefs quickly became top trends, with thousands of posts accusing the officials of “bias” or “serious errors.”
Chiefs legend, Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez, spoke out strongly on CBS’s “NFL Prime Night”: “This isn’t just a regular mistake. It changed the entire game. The NFL needs to act immediately to protect the integrity of the league. Suspension is a necessary step to review the officiating process.”
According to the announcement from the NFL’s New York office, Hochuli’s crew will be suspended for at least one week pending an internal investigation. The league’s officiating committee is reviewing the full game footage, including other calls deemed “inconsistent.”
A source from ESPN stated: “This decision isn’t just based on the intentional grounding penalty but also from Hochuli’s history of controversies, especially in high-stakes games involving the Bills and Chiefs.” CBS rules experts suggested the error might stem from a “loophole in the review rules,” but did not rule out human factors.
This isn’t the first time Shawn Hochuli, son of legendary referee Ed Hochuli, has been embroiled in controversy. In the past, he has faced criticism for “overly strict” or “biased” calls in playoff games, particularly involving the Buffalo Bills. Chiefs fans feel unfairly treated, as their team is often accused of “buying the refs” when they win, but suffers disadvantages when losing due to officiating errors.
Although the game result cannot be changed, this suspension is seen as a rare move by the NFL to address public outcry. The compilation clip of the controversial play has garnered over 10 million views in just 24 hours, and the movement calling for officiating system reform is spreading widely. With the season at its peak, the story of “fairness on the field” is sure to remain heated.
The NFL has not yet announced the specific suspension duration or replacement officials for upcoming games, but this action could impact fans’ trust in the league. Follow the latest updates from NFL.com for more details.
