NFL fans had to wait an extra thirty minutes to start this 2024 season, and once it started they quickly took issue with what they were seeing. While the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs had to wait a bit, they came out fired up to start the season, but the refs definitely did as well.
Literally the entire NFL world chimed in on the way the referees were controlling the game.
The Referees Came To Play In Season Opener
When the weather cleared and the game began, fans, analysts, and even former players chimed in noticing one major factor of the game – the referees.
In the first seven plays alone of the game Baltimore got called for a total of SEVEN penalties. In almost comedic fashion, they averaged a penalty per play to start the year,
They were specifically called for illegal formation three times on the first drive alone:
The Ravens were called for illegal formation three times on the first drive (twice for Ronnie Stanley) of the 2024 NFL season.
"Wow! I mean, they are calling this razor-sharp here." – Cris Collinsworth 🏈🎙️🦓 pic.twitter.com/TecSqGP9nQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2024
The Ravens apparently lined up incorrectly three times on their first drive alone, and this led many fans to call rigged just as the season was kicking off, but other fans just voiced their annoyance with the way the game was going due to the penalties.
NFL World Reacts To Amount Of Penalties Called
Fans around the NFL world were simply unhappy with the way the game started with flags all over the field. Almost everyone around the league in addition to the fans had something to say about the way this game was called:
John Harbaugh just mouthed “it’s not being called both ways”
Chiefs refs back? pic.twitter.com/z68QNlYaDK
— Bottom Shelf Sports (@bottomshelf__) September 6, 2024
*Waiting for football to finally come back*
The refs making it about themselves: pic.twitter.com/ye8vYbmjaW
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) September 6, 2024
I can accept losing. I cant accept the refs cheating. #nflfixed
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 6, 2024
Referees getting ready for a full night of making bad calls against the Ravens pic.twitter.com/1C3BHSIVIi
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 6, 2024
I see the referees are back
— Joy Taylor (@JoyTaylorTalks) September 6, 2024
Ravens Offensive Line: *breathes*
Refs: pic.twitter.com/bxgWgosJyC
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) September 6, 2024
Refs to the Ravens o-line: illegal formation, head was not lined up in the correct 6-inch zone
Refs to the Chiefs o-line:
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 6, 2024
The refs saving the Chiefs anytime the Ravens are moving the football pic.twitter.com/DYAGIiZqkU
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) September 6, 2024
Just give the refs red jerseys my god
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) September 6, 2024
“Ref is so busy calling Illegal formation in the Ravens HES MISSED TWO FALSE STARTS ON KC!!!!” one Ravens fan lamented.
“Glad we get to watch the refs tonight,” a sarcastic @BarstoolBigCat said.
“Do we stop watching now or is it the refs the whole game we think,” said @zachlanebryan.
“Welcome to the ref show,” chimed in @danfetes. “The NFL is back baby.”
“I’m already sick of the illegal formation penalties. #BALvsKC,” another person said.
Even Jason Kelce got involved early saying:
“Man they are not messing around with these tackles alignments, Kelce shared on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter).” And to be fair, [Ronnie] Stanley is still to far back!”
“illegal formation penalty hurting my brain right now, does anyone understand? Lol,” a third person said.
“I almost quit watching the NFL because of linemen standing with a foot just behind the center…. said no one ever. What a ridiculous penalty,” a fourth person said. “‘NFL made a point to emphasize it’ and ruin the flow of a game. Ref Show 2024 on full display.”
“These NFL refs petty for all them illegal procedure penalties,” a fifth fan chimed in.
It’s going to be a long season if this is an example of what is to come.
Related: NFL Fans Are Freaking Out Over Pre-Game Weather Delay Before Chiefs-Ravens Opener
