The Kansas City Chiefs’ hopes for an unprecedented three-peat came to a crushing halt in Super Bowl LIX, as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated from start to finish in a resounding 40-22 victory.
While the loss itself was a tough pill to swallow, Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had something else on his mind in the aftermath: officiating.
DeAndre Hopkins frustrated by ‘touchy calls’
Hopkins, who joined Kansas City midseason, didn’t shy away from addressing the topic in his postgame media availability, questioning whether the same scrutiny that followed the Chiefs all season would now apply to the Eagles.
“It’s my first year being with the Chiefs, and I saw a lot of things in the media about the refs,”Hopkins said.
“But what are you all going to say now about the refs and us? There were a lot of touchy calls. Are you going to report that? Are you going to talk about the refs now?”
While Hopkins didn’t single out specific plays, two controversial personal foul penalties against Kansas City drew attention.
The first came on a pivotal Eagles drive in the opening quarter.
Facing a third-and-5, quarterback Jalen Hurts attempted a pass to tight end Dallas Goedert, who couldn’t secure the ball.
However, Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie was flagged for unnecessary roughness after what appeared to be incidental helmet contact.
Instead of punting, the Eagles were awarded a fresh set of downs and found the end zone two plays later.
A second questionable penalty occurred late in the second quarter when Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton made contact with Eagles running back Saquon Barkley following an incomplete pass.
Though the hit wasn’t excessive, Bolton’s shove sent Barkley to the ground, resulting in another personal foul that extended Philadelphia’s drive.
Despite these calls, it’s hard to argue they dictated the outcome of the game.
The Eagles held a commanding 24-0 halftime lead and never faced a serious threat from Kansas City.
Is DeAndre Hopkins ready to retire?
Hopkins, who scored his first career Super Bowl touchdown in the loss, had a quiet night otherwise, recording just two catches for 18 yards.
The veteran receiver was brought in to bolster the Chiefs’ passing attack, but his impact was limited both in the game and throughout the latter part of the season.
With his contract expiring, the 32-year-old faces an uncertain future.
Kansas City could opt to bring him back, but after an underwhelming stint with the team, his next move remains unclear.
If a contending team doesn’t come calling, retirement could become a serious consideration.
For now, Hopkins and the Chiefs are left to process a humbling defeat, one that, in his eyes, was influenced by more than just Philadelphia’s dominance on the field.
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