Former Denver Broncos star Justin Simmons has accused the Kansas City Chiefs of 'cheating' – with the help of NFL referees – ever since Patrick Mahomes arrived in the league.
Chiefs Kingdom was up in arms after last weekend's heartbreaking 28-24 loss to the Broncos, with Brittany Mahomes among those to vent their fury at the officials.
After lineman Jaylon Moore was penalized for a false start that ruled out a game-winning touchdown pass to Rashee Rice, she vented on social media: 'That was the weakest call I have ever seen.'
The second straight loss saw Andy Reid's team drop to 5-2 and slip behind the Broncos in the AFC West standings.
But retired safety Simmons, who spent nearly a decade with the Denver Broncos, insisted he has little sympathy with 'delusional' Chiefs fans.
There has long been a perception among some NFL fans that Kansas City is given favorable treatment by officials and on the latest episode of his podcast, The Last Line, he said: 'Y'all been cheating the whole time you had Patrick Mahomes. Refs been cheating for y'all.'
Justin Simmons has accused the Chiefs of 'cheating' ever since Patrick Mahomes arrived [Source: X/@TheLastLinePod_)
At the Broncos, Jaylon Moore was penalized for a false start that helped seal Denver's win
Brittany Mahomes, wife of the Chiefs star, was among those to vent their fury at the officials
Patrick Mahomes was sacked on the next and final play
Read MoreEXCLUSIVE I helped Patrick Mahomes win three Super Bowl titles... my protege Drew Mestemaker reminds me of him and is coming for the NFL. This underdog sophomore is so dangerous article image
Simmons continued: '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. I seen all on social media: "That wasn't a false start! They called that on us! They hate us!"
The former safety also took aim at TV coverage of Mahomes in particular, claiming: 'If you don't think that's not influencing, that these refs ain't giving you some calls...'
He added: 'My rant is at the Chiefs fans that are delusional enough to think that was not a false start. It was, y'all lost and y'all lost at the 1-yard line. Ha! I don't feel bad for y'all.'
His co-host and ex-teammate, Kareem Jackson, compared the Chiefs to 'the kid in the neighborhood who loses and they take their ball and they go home with it.'
Kansas City will look to return to winning ways against the New York Jets on Sunday.