Packers Safety Calls NFL Officiating 'Bulls–t' After Controversial Loss to Lions

The brief lull in NFL officiating disasters ended abruptly Sunday. The league's referees returned to form, delivering a performance that bordered on unprofessional during the Lions' matchup against the Packers. The most baffling calls landed squarely on Green Bay. It is no surprise that the Packers' postgame press conference devolved into a scathing critique of the officiating crew. Safety Xavier McKinney led the charge. He did not mince words.

McKinney called the officiating "bulls–t." He knows the NFL will likely fine him for that comment. Still, he got his point across during a one-minute rant about a specific, controversial play.

"I don't know how the NFL [is] going to treat it, but I'm not a big fan of the refs right now," McKinney told reporters in the locker room. "I don't think it's great officiating if I'm being completely honest. I think it's bulls–t a lot of the times."

His frustration centered on a third-quarter sequence involving Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown was wrapped up in what looked like a completed tackle. Yet, because he remained on top of his tackler, the officials apparently decided he was not down. No whistle blew. St. Brown got up and continued moving as if the play were still alive. Packers defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt then tackled him.

Chaos ensued. St. Brown's leg whipped upward and struck approaching umpire Terry Killens Jr. in the groin. Killens Jr. dropped to the ground. While lying on his back, he threw a flag. The call was unnecessary roughness on Wyatt. The Lions used that penalty to move closer to the end zone. They eventually scored a touchdown, taking a 17-14 lead.

"I think there are drives where they make calls that don't even make any sense," McKinney said. "We tried to get him down and then their player hit the ref and he falls. He gets mad on the ground and he just throws the flag. He don't even know who hit him."

"So it's just like, it just be bulls–t that's going on, bulls–t calls."

A fine is inevitable. The NFL has a strict policy prohibiting public criticism of game officials by players or club employees. This rule covers press conferences, interviews, broadcasts, livestreams, and social media posts. The league can discipline individuals for criticizing specific calls or the general quality of officiating. Violations may result in fines or suspensions.

However, the punishment is secondary to the core issue. The questionable officiating is the real problem. The NFL has struggled with this all year. The league acknowledged the issue when it suspended two officials in separate incidents on Oct. 5. Penalty flags are also near a historical high.

Commissioner Roger Goodell stated last week that more flags do not necessarily equal bad officiating. Yet, the league is concerned at some level. Officials were recently instructed to stay away from holding calls on the backside of plays. The plays drawing the most attention remain a source of worry.

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent discussed the recent suspensions last week. He noted the league is currently dealing with "the consequences of a grievance" filed by referee Adrian Hill. Hill was suspended for one game for how he dealt with a player while unaware of the circumstances behind his reaction after being knocked down.

There he was, sprawled on the turf, flag in hand, caught in a moment that felt eerily familiar. Matt LaFleur, head coach of the Packers, treaded light at first when discussing the officiating. Then he dropped the pretense. He was furious that his team took a penalty when no clear whistle ended the play.

" There was no whistle blown, and the guy continued to run, and our guy didn't hear a whistle," LaFleur said. "He continued to play too, and then we get called for a penalty. So, I don't know. They were trying to tell me the play was obviously dead. I'm like, 'How do you know if you don't hear a whistle?'"

Referee Alex Moore claimed he didn't hear a whistle either. In a post-game pool report, however, he stated the play was over as if it were common knowledge to everyone involved.

"We ruled that the play was over," Moore said. "I can't honestly hear if there was a whistle or not, but the tackler made the tackle, the play was over. Then, there was an additional action, and he basically tackled him again with force after the play was over."

This call stood out as the most controversial in a game riddled with questionable decisions. Several of those calls resulted in eyebrow-raising flags against the Packers for roughing the passer.

Karl Brooks, a defensive tackle called for one of those penalties, declined to speak with reporters after the game. He remains one of the few Packers players victimized by Sunday's questionable calls who knows he won't face an NFL fine for criticizing the officials.