Retired Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons has accused the Kansas City Chiefs of cheating with the help of National Football League (NFL) referees since quarterback Patrick Mahomes joined the league.
Simmons made the remarks on the latest episode of his podcast, The Last Line, after the Broncos defeated the Chiefs 28-24 last weekend. He said he had little sympathy for Kansas City supporters complaining about the officiating in the defeat.
"Y'all been cheating the whole time you had Patrick Mahomes," Simmons said on the podcast. "Refs been cheating for y'all." His comments reference a longstanding perception among some NFL fans that officials give Kansas City favorable treatment during games.
Simmons also argued that television coverage of Mahomes influences how officials call games involving Kansas City. "If you don't think that's not influencing, that these refs ain't giving you some calls..." the former safety said alongside co-host Kareem Jackson.
False start penalty in Denver Broncos victory
The dispute began in the closing stages of last weekend's game when Kansas City offensive lineman Jaylon Moore was penalized for a false start at the 1-yard line. The call wiped out a game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashee Rice and sealed Denver's 28-24 victory.
Under NFL rules, a false start occurs when an offensive player moves after taking a set stance before the ball is snapped in a way that simulates the start of the play. Officials blow the play dead immediately and enforce a five-yard penalty.
The ruling sparked anger across social media from Kansas City fans, known as Chiefs Kingdom, as well as from Mahomes's wife, Brittany Mahomes. Following the penalty against Moore, she wrote on social media: "That was the weakest call I have ever seen."
Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson mock Chiefs reaction
Simmons, who spent nearly a decade playing in Denver, dismissed the complaints from Kansas City supporters. "I already have beef with Chiefs fans anyway - I don't like y'all, y'all don't like me. That's cool. Not everybody is going to like you in life," he said. "I seen all on social media: 'That wasn't a false start! They called that on us! They hate us!'"
He called fans who disputed the penalty against Moore "delusional" and celebrated the outcome at the goal line. "My rant is at the Chiefs fans that are delusional enough to think that was not a false start," Simmons added. "It was, y'all lost and y'all lost at the 1-yard line. Ha! I don't feel bad for y'all."
Jackson, a former teammate who played alongside Simmons in the Denver secondary, also criticized how Kansas City handled the defeat. He compared the Chiefs to "the kid in the neighborhood who loses and they take their ball and they go home with it."
AFC West standings and upcoming schedule
The defeat to Denver was the second straight loss for head coach Andy Reid's team, dropping the Chiefs to a 5-2 record. The result also pushed Kansas City behind the Broncos in the American Football Conference (AFC) West standings.
The Broncos and Chiefs meet twice every regular season as division rivals in the four-team AFC West, a competition Kansas City has largely dominated while winning three Super Bowl titles with Mahomes and Reid. Kansas City will look to return to winning ways against the New York Jets on Sunday.
