Pittsburgh Steelers Receiver Criticizes Refs, Claims Unfair Loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers receiver, Diontae Johnson, expressed his frustration with the officiating crew following their recent 20-10 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnson believed that the referees made several questionable calls that ultimately cost his team the game.
According to Johnson, the officiating crew, led by referee Alan Eck, made numerous stupid calls and should be fined for their performance. He firmly stated that they were responsible for the Steelers’ defeat.
One of the most controversial calls occurred just before halftime when a 55-yard field goal by Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell was nullified due to a penalty on guard Isaac Seumalo for lining up offsides. The successful kick would have narrowed Jacksonville’s lead to 9-6 heading into halftime. However, the Steelers were forced to re-kick, and the subsequent 61-yard attempt by Boswell missed the mark. After reviewing the play, it appeared that the penalty was inconclusive, leaving the Steelers and their coach, Mike Tomlin, bewildered by the call.
Johnson emphasized the impact of that missed field goal on the team, stating that it was a crucial moment in the game that could have changed the momentum going into halftime.
Despite the Steelers’ defense forcing three turnovers, their offense struggled to capitalize on the opportunities, managing to only convert them into three points. The team’s inefficiency on third and fourth downs further added to their frustrations.
Both teams received an equal number of penalties, with the Steelers penalized for 52 yards and the Jaguars for 72. Still, the Steelers felt hard done by several close calls that went against them, leading to an increasingly frustrated atmosphere.
The game saw questionable calls or no-calls related to roughing the passer. These decisions incensed Steelers fans, who felt there was a double standard in favor of the Jaguars. Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was hit by Adam Gotsis, leading to a rib injury. Although it appeared that the pass-rusher flung Pickett to the ground with his body weight, no flag was thrown.
Johnson, echoing the sentiments of frustrated Steelers fans, accused the referees of favoring the Jaguars. He went as far as suggesting that they may have received payment for their biased officiating. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the need to move on from the loss and focus on the team’s upcoming match against the Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers’ defeat against the Jaguars has left them with a 4-3 record for the season. While Johnson’s criticism of the referees may have brought attention to the controversial calls, it also highlights the broader issue of inconsistent officiating in the NFL. As the Steelers regroup for their next game, they will need to put this disappointment behind them and focus on improving their performance to secure a victory.
Overall, Johnson’s frustration with the officiating crew has shed light on the impact referees can have on the outcome of a game. The NFL must address these concerns and work towards ensuring fair and consistent officiating for all teams.
