Jason Lieser at the Chicago Sun-Times reports some comments by Bears defensive players about the officiating in yesterday’s victory over the Carolina Panthers:
“The highlight of [safety Eddie Jackson‘s] day would’ve been a pass break-up by cornerback Kyle Fuller that deflected to Jackson at the Panthers’ 17-yard line early in the third quarter. He darted through the Panthers to the end zone, but Fuller was flagged for pass interference for hitting wide receiver Robby Anderson before the ball arrived.
“Jackson chimed in later on Twitter that having his touchdown called back ‘makes no sense.'”
“He took it a step further by adding, ‘If you think these refs dot have something against us you Crazy.’ He deleted that one.”>/p>
“Jackson was not alone venting his frustration with the officials on Twitter. Linebacker Danny Trevathan
added, ‘We need to start fining refs. This is ludicrous.'”
I don’t like seeing players criticize officials publicly under any circumstances but I have a particular objection in this case.
As I chronicled in my game comments, the bad calls went both ways. For instance, the first Bears interception by Tashaun Gibson
came on a hit to the receiver that was pretty obviously early. And though Jaylon Johnson got hit with a terrible pass interference penalty where the refs called what they expected to see instead of what happened near the end of the third quarter, it was almost immediately followed by a pretty awful roughing the passer call on Carolina on the Bears next possession.
Bad officiating? Yes. But I’d be careful throwing around accusations of bias. I don’t see it.