New Orleans, LA — Super Bowl LIX is off to a fiery start, and it’s not just because of the action on the field. Just minutes into the Philadelphia Eagles’ opening drive, star wide receiver A.J. Brown was hit with a highly questionable offensive pass interference penalty, erasing a 30-yard bomb that could have set up an early scoring chance.
In a game between two of the NFL’s best fourth-down offenses, the Eagles took a gamble on fourth-and-2—but instead of their signature Tush Push, they went for the deep strike.
🔹 The Play: Jalen Hurts launched a perfect pass to Brown at the Chiefs’ 20-yard line.
🔹 The Controversy: Brown came down with the ball cleanly, but officials flagged him for offensive pass interference, negating the massive gain.
🔹 The Fallout: The Eagles were forced to punt, shifting early momentum to the Chiefs.
Tom Brady, calling the game for FOX, didn’t hold back.
“Don’t like that one bit,” Brady said. “This is too critical of a game.”
Chiefs Get Another Favorable Call Amid Officiating Scrutiny
This latest penalty only adds fuel to an already burning fire—questions about officiating bias have loomed large all week, with many Eagles fans fearing a repeat of last year’s controversial calls.
Philadelphia fans inside Caesars Superdome responded with a “Ref, you suck!” chant, but it failed to gain traction.
Social media, however, was far less forgiving.
🔥 TSN Sports posted the penalty clip on X (Twitter), and the backlash was immediate.
🔥 Fans and analysts across the NFL world called out the call as “phantom” and “a gift for Kansas City.”
🔥 Even former players chimed in, with some calling it one of the worst calls in Super Bowl history.
The Big Question: Will Officiating Decide Another Super Bowl?
After last year’s Super Bowl LVIII holding call against the Eagles that helped seal a Chiefs victory, this latest penalty only increases skepticism.
👀 Is the officiating going to be a major storyline again?
🏈 Can the Eagles overcome these setbacks and fight back?
🔥 Will this Super Bowl be remembered for another controversial call?
Stay tuned as the action unfolds in Super Bowl LIX!