Patrick Mahomes was captured on camera requesting assistance from the referees, but not in the manner that it appeared
No, CBS probably didn’t capture the smoking gun that the NFL was, in fact, rigged, despite what some football fans want to believe.
While an official was calling a penalty in the second quarter, the mics caught Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes saying, “Can you let me know if he’s close? Tell me, tell me.”
Fans on social media were quick to opine that Mahomes was asking the ref to let him know when a defender was getting close to him.
Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after defeating the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Even CBS analyst Trent Green seemed to have that thought.
But others were quick to point out that the more likely case was that Mahomes was asking for a heads-up if one of his linemen were close to being called for an offsides penalty.
Former Chiefs’ lineman Mitchell Schwartz wrote that very though on social media.
“I think the announcers had a wrong read of the ‘can you let me know when he’s close’ comment,” Schwartz wrote. “My best guess is Pat was asking for them to let him know when Jawaan is close to being offsides. Don’t think it had anything to do with defenders being close to him.”
That surely won’t stop some fans from believing what they want.
But in the end, what propelled the Chiefs to a win on Sunday was a blocked field goal in the closing seconds of the game.
Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Kansas City managed to block a 35-yard attempt to secure a 16-14 win over the Broncos as the Chiefs remained undefeated on the season.
“Just speaks to this entire team,” Mahomes said about the blocked field goal. “I felt like offensively we didn’t do well enough. … Defensively they stepped it up in the second half and then the special teams. We’re a full team, it’s everybody and it was a special moment.”