Champ Bailey Reacts to Patrick Mahomes Controversy, Sheds Light on NFL Penalties

NFL legend Champ Bailey has weighed in on the controversial penalties called against the Houston Texans in their playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. With the spotlight on Patrick Mahomes and the penalties he drew, Bailey expressed his frustration over the calls and how they could potentially impact the outcome of games.

Patrick Mahomes and the Penalty Drama

During the AFC Divisional Round game on January 18, 2025, Mahomes drew two penalties that sparked widespread debate. One particularly contentious play occurred when Mahomes attempted a last-minute slide, only to be met by two Texans defenders. The unnecessary roughness penalty on Houston linebacker Henry To’oTo’o for the play left many questioning the fairness of the call.

Bailey, known for his time as a star cornerback for the Denver Broncos and the Washington Redskins, expressed his disappointment, highlighting the difficulty in judging plays like this in real-time. He argued that with modern review technology, referees should be able to reassess calls to ensure the outcome of the game isn’t unnecessarily altered by potentially incorrect decisions.

Bailey Calls for Consistency in Penalty Calls

Bailey emphasized that quarterbacks, particularly Mahomes, should not be afforded extra protection when they leave the pocket and become runners. He stated:

“Once you’re outside of the pocket, man, it’s fair game. I don’t know why he’s protected when he’s outside of the pocket the way he was.”

Bailey’s point was clear—if Mahomes had been treated like a running back in that situation, the flag wouldn’t have been thrown. His frustration stems from the perceived inconsistency in how quarterbacks are treated compared to other players, especially when the penalties don’t seem to match the context of the play.

Do NFL Fans Think the Games Are Rigged?

As Bailey watched the controversial calls unfold, he shared that he could understand why some NFL fans might feel the games are “rigged” or unfairly tilted in favor of certain players like Mahomes. Bailey confessed that, after years of watching the game from the outside, he too has started to question the integrity of officiating.

“The more and more I start believing what the fans are saying about the games being ‘fixed,’ because you see things like this happen over and over,” Bailey said.

Despite these frustrations, Bailey emphasized the importance of consistency in the game. He called for the league to review calls more accurately to maintain the integrity of the game and regain the trust of fans. While Bailey doesn’t believe the games are fixed, he stressed the need for better officiating practices to preserve the credibility of the NFL.

Patrick Mahomes Weighs In

Despite the controversy, Patrick Mahomes has consistently denied that NFL officials favor the Kansas City Chiefs. He believes that the officiating has been fair, even as the debate over the Chiefs’ success continues.