Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid get big fines for criticizing referees

Jan 8, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are taking some serious hits to the wallet.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Saturday that the Kansas City Chiefs star QB Mahomes has been fined $50,000 by the league. Unsportsmanlike conduct for abusive, threatening, or insulting language to game officials was cited as the reason for Mahomes’ fine as well as the violation of longstanding league rules prohibiting the public criticism of referees.

The Chiefs head coach Reid got fined an even bigger amount. According to Rapoport, the NFL has fined Reid $100,000, also for violating longstanding league rules against the public criticism of officials.

Mahomes and Reid were furious at the referees after an offensive offsides penalty on Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney wiped out a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Kansas City ultimately lost 20-17, and Mahomes and Reid both slammed the referees in their respective postgame press conferences. Mahomes was especially irate in the immediate aftermath of the penalty and threw a tantrum on the field.

However, videos later emerged indicating that Toney was very badly at fault for the penalty, and both Mahomes and Reid have since backtracked on their stances. But that won’t stop either top Chiefs figure from having to write a hefty check to the league office.