Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are on fans’ radar after the NBA was rocked yesterday when Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were arrested in connection with two separate gambling-related indictments in Brooklyn.
Former NBA player Damon Jones was also among those taken into custody, prompting the league to place Rozier and Billups on immediate leave as investigations continue.
Calls Mount for FBI To Investigate Patrick Mahomes-Led Chiefs
Calls Mount for FBI To Investigate Patrick Mahomes-Led Chiefs
However, while the basketball world grapples with the scandal, the aftermath has now reached the NFL, and fans have turned their sights on Mahomes & co.. Social media flooded on Thursday night with demands for the FBI to investigate Patrick Mahomes and his team, with users alleging “Vegas-level” favoritism from officials during recent games.
One fan wrote, “@FBI I demand an investigation into the Kansas City. They are in cahoots with Vegas and committing fraud live on television.”
@FBI I demand an investigation into the Kansas City Chiefs. They are in cahoots with Vegas and committing fraud live on television.
— HEBI (@Hebi_One) October 13, 2025
Another said, “Whoops, NBA….not having a good day today!! Rigged games, not a surprise at all. FBI, now do the NFL and the Kansas City!!!”
Whoops, NBA….not having a good day today!!
Rigged games, not a surprise at all.
FBI, now do the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs!!! pic.twitter.com/DUOOBeCWmz
— Deplorable Mark🇺🇸 (@markcity045) October 23, 2025
One X user tweeted, “Good for the @fbi now look into the NFL and the referees/Kansas city Chiefs connection.”
“@FBI Investigate the Kansas City Chiefs & Tyquan Thornton immediately,” tweeted one more.
One fan said, “The @FBI & @DOJCrimDiv REALLY need to look into @nflcommish & @NFLOfficiating over the handling of Sunday nights Detroit & Kansas City @NFL game. It’s beyond ridiculous how because of Taylor Swift that the #NFL favors Kansas City. Is the NFL legitimate?!?”
The @FBI & @DOJCrimDiv REALLY need to look into @nflcommish & @NFLOfficiating over the handling of Sunday nights Detroit & Kansas City @NFL game. It’s beyond ridiculous how because of Taylor Swift that the #NFL favors the Chiefs. Is the NFL legitimate?!? https://t.co/wGOh8THZf8
— David Tyler (@dvtyler) October 15, 2025
“The Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs football 🏈 game was fixed. I would contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation(cf. @FBI ) but unfortunately when you contact them, they turn around and investigate YOU. I guess the Kansas City Mob is alive and well and fixing games,” commented another.
The Detroit Lions and the Kansas City Chiefs football 🏈 game was fixed. I would contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation(cf. @FBI ) but unfortunately when you contact them, they turn around and investigate YOU. I guess the Kansas City Mob is alive and well and fixing games. pic.twitter.com/DE61FmiT23
— Лиса в пустыне (@KamiloTapiya) October 16, 2025
FBI actually stepping in seems a bit overreach, but fans clearly aren’t buying the Chiefs’ squeaky-clean image anymore.
Do Refs Actually Favor Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs?
Are all those viral memes about Patrick Mahomes and the refs actually grounded in reality? A new study from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) suggests that they might be. Researchers have analyzed more than 13,000 penalty calls from 2015 through 2023 and found that officiating has “disproportionately favored the Mahomes-era Kansas City Chiefs.”
According to the report, penalties against Mahomes’ team during playoff games averaged 2.36 more yards than usual, and flags were 23% more likely to lead to a first down in Kansas City’s favor. Subjective calls like roughing the passer and pass interference? Those occurred 28% more often. If that isn’t enough, Mahomes gets roughly .412 roughing-the-passer calls per postseason game, triple the league average of .12.
UTEP’s assistant finance professor Spencer Barnes, who led the study, hinted at why this might be happening.
“When the league’s financial health is at stake, rule enforcement may subtly shift to protect market appeal,” Barnes said.
Kansas City’s star power has only grown since Travis Kelce’s relationship with Taylor Swift went public in 2023. The pop star’s appearance at a September game spiked Fox’s viewership to 24.3 million. Still, while Andy Reid and his men remain Super Bowl favorites heading into Week 8, their games continue to be marred by questionable calls.
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