NFL names officials for Super Bowl LIX, and social media erupts calling them “The Mahomes crew”

The “zebras” are ready. The NFL announced today the crew that will officiate at Super Bowl LIX. The team is made up of proven referees who have officiated multiple postseason games; however, fans are already tearing them apart.  For a couple of years, conspiracy theorists have not stopped accusing the NFL of “fixing” games in favor of one team or another. Usually, the Kansas City Chiefs fall on the wrong end of these accusations.

Even media figures like Skip Bayless or Dave Portnoy have fallen into the game of claiming that the NFL has some interest in pushing the Chiefs to the Super Bowl. Far from calming things down, the NFL’s recent announcement stirred things up even more.

NFL reveals Super Bowl LIX officiating team, headed by seasoned referee. #SuperBowlLIX #NFLOfficiating #NFLRefs More:@FoxNewshttps://t.co/jE2lcJBA0O

— David Carlisle (@dqc1985) January 21, 2025

Who will officiate Super Bowl LIX?

In a statement released today, the NFL announced that veteran referee Ron Torbert will lead the crew for Super Bowl LIX, which will be played on February 9 at the New Orleans Superdome. Torbert has 15 years of experience as an official and 11 as a referee.

The Super Bowl will be Torbert’s 11th career playoff game. His most recent postseason assignment was the game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions in this past Divisional Round.  Torbert’s crew is completed by umpire Mike Morton, down judge Max Causey, line judge Mark Stewart, field judge Mearl Robinson, side judge Boris Cheek, back judge Jonah Monroe, and replay official Kevin Brown.

Ron Tolbert has been announced as the referee for Super Bowl LIXhttps://t.co/7pHwFihHc8 pic.twitter.com/eNVZY15kYS

— Mirror US Sports (@MirrorUSSports) January 21, 2025

Fans are furious with the call

The first ball hasn’t even been snapped, and some fans are already throwing accusations at the officials. “AKA Patrick’s teammates,” “The Mahomes crew,” and “Are they gonna be wearing Chiefs gear?!?” are just some of the comments against the officials.

The Championship Games will be played this weekend. The Chiefs will host the Buffalo Bills, and the Commanders will visit the Philadelphia Eagles. The tickets to the Super Bowl are still to be decided, but some are not happy if they don’t have something to complain about.