‘The Mahomes Crew’ Debate, Fans Accuse Super Bowl LIX Referee Ron Torbert Favoring Patrick Mahomes

January 22, 2026

This article was last updated by Sangita Budhathoki on January 22, 2026

Fans have raised questions of potential bias following Ron Torbert’s selection as the lead referee for Super Bowl LIX, stemming from past controversies involving Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

There’s been quite a bit of controversy surrounding the officiating crew for Super Bowl LIX.

The NFL has appointed veteran referee Ron Torbert as referee to lead the team.

Some fans already call them “The Mahomes Crew” due to past incidents involving Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

During the AFC Championship Game in the 2026-2026 NFL season, referee Clay Martin made a couple of controversial calls that reportedly favored Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

The most confrontational decisions involved two roughing-the-passer penalties against the Texans.

In both instances, Martin ruled that the contact on Mahomes was late and forcible, resulting in 15-yard penalties.

Controversy Surrounding Following The Selection Of Ron Torbert As The Lead Referee For Super Bowl LIX, Raising Questions Of Potential Bias!

One notable incident occurred during the AFC Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.

With the game tied at 20-20 in the fourth quarter, referee Ron Torbert ruled that a play should be replayed due to a timekeeping mistake.

In that game, a critical call by Torbert allowed the Chiefs to reset the game clock. This reportedly helped them secure a crucial first down and win.

He explained;

The play clock was shut down, the clock was stopped, and the play shouldn’t have started.Please reset the game clock to 10 minutes and 29 seconds, with 10 seconds on the play clock. We will start the play clock on my signal.

— 1-1-1-1 (@pahrduve)

This decision has led to accusations that the referees are biased towards Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Bengals fans and others criticized the call and argued that it unfairly favored the Chiefs.

Moreover, fans and analysts have been vocal on social media, and they have questioned the integrity of the officiating.

Likewise, they are concerned about whether past controversies could impact the fairness of the upcoming Super Bowl.

Social media has been buzzing with comments suggesting that the referees were biased toward Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Some are even calling it a. While many people support Mahomes, others point to the controversy. As one fan put it:

Of course, the favor the Chiefs, and if you just sneeze in front of Patrick Mahomes be called for roughing the passer.

Despite these claims, the NFL maintains that the officials are experienced and capable of handling the high-pressure situation of the Super Bowl.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Super Bowl LIX will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2026, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• The team includes Mike Morton as the umpire, Max Causey as the down judge, Mark Stewart as the line judge, and so on.
• Ron Torbert will lead Super Bowl LIX, marking his second Super Bowl assignment.

• Check other Articles on

Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.

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