Fans criticized NFL referees following a hit on New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye on Sunday afternoon.
Maye exited the Patriots’ win over the New York Jets due to a concussion scare after a hit to the head.
He was hit in the back of the head while sliding in Foxborough. He was listed as questionable to return and replaced by Jacoby Brissett. Brissett would lead the Patriots (2-6) to a 25-20 victory to snap the team’s six-game losing streak.
The hit was somewhat controversial, given that Maye had begun to slide when Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood made helmet-to-helmet contact with the Patriots quarterback, an apparent violation of NFL rules.
However, no penalty was called on the play, sparking a backlash from furious football fans on social media.
Fans criticized NFL referees after a hit on New England quarterback Drake Maye.
The quarterback was hit in the back of the head while sliding, but no penalty was called.
“I’m no longer surprised by the NFL’s inept handling of these situations,” shared one fan on X, formerly known as social media.
“NFL officiating needs to be revamped and fixed,” one fan wrote on ‘
“Horrible officiating,” said another, before a third added: “The referees suck this year all over the league.”
Meanwhile, others accused the refs of failing to spot a potential penalty, with one writing, “the refs are blind in this game,” while another agreed, saying, “The refs are so BLIND this year.”
‘Totally unnecessary in my opinion. It was slipping. Dirty play,” another social media user chimed in.
Meanwhile, other NFL fans seemed to hint at favoritism within the league, suggesting that the calls went in favor of some teams more than the offers.
“The referees never ask for anything in favor of the Patriots, but always on the side of the bosses… I think it’s obvious that these referees want Mahomes to surpass Tom Brady,” said one fan, referring to the Maye incident.
“If a defender had done that to Mahomes, he would have been sent to solitary confinement,” echoed another.
The lack of a flag on the play sparked reactions from furious football fans on social media.
Early in the game, Maye, the first-round pick out of North Carolina, ran for a 17-yard touchdown, his first touchdown on the field in his young career.
Maye was having some success in just his third NFL start.
He completed just 3 of 6 passes thanks to two key throws by Patriots receivers, but Maye made up for it by rushing three times for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Maye has been impressive since becoming the Patriots’ starter two games earlier, although he is still searching for his first win.
After completing 4 of 8 passes in relief of Brissett in a loss to the Jets on September 19, Maye completed 49 of 76 for 742 yards, five touchdowns and two picks.
