Cincinnati's DJ Reader: 'These holding calls at the end of Super Bowls are crazy'
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader was among many on social media who were disappointed with the defensive-holding penalty against the Philadelphia Eagles' James Bradberry IV with 1:50 left on 3rd-and-8 that set up the Kansas City Chiefs' game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker at the end of Super Bowl 57.
"You'll see James Bradberry - they're gonna say he grabs him. He's got his left hand on his back. I don't know. I think on this stage - I think you let 'em play," Fox color analyst Greg Olsen said. "I think you let 'em play. You finish this thing out. I don't love that call. ... I just think in this moment - whoa, man. That is a game-altering penalty. ... It changes the entire complexion of how this classic game is gonna end."
"It was a clear case of a jersey grab that caused restriction," Super Bowl 57 referee Carl Cheffers told reporters after the game.
One year ago, the Bengals had a four-point lead with 1:44 remaining in Super Bowl 56, with the Rams at the Cincinnati 8-yard line. With linebacker Logan Wilson in coverage, officials called a defensive-holding penalty on 3rd-and-goal, giving Los Angeles a new set of downs.
Reactions via Twitter from Reader, Wilson, the Bengals' B.J. Hill (in a reply to Reader's tweet), defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie and Eli Apple, and others:
Hmmm these holding calls at the end of superbowls are crazy.
— Dj Reader (@Djread98) February 13, 2023
🤔
— Logan Wilson (@ljw21) February 13, 2023
just following the script
— Chidobe Awuzie ℗ (@ChidobeAwuzie) February 13, 2023
Are you kidding me? Another SUPER suspect holding call deciding the end of the SuperBowl 🧐🤔
— CJ Uzomah (@cj_uzomah) February 13, 2023
Refs win the bowl again
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) February 13, 2023
Usually don’t get involved in ripping referees but HATE that defensive holding call on Bradberry. 35-35 late on a 3rd down incompletion on what was a marginal foul???
Let em play man!!
Bad call-hate that is what many will take away from this game.— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 13, 2023
Matter of fact just don’t play the playoffs moving forward, give SUPER BOWL to the team the NFL wants to win cuz that’s what it looks like
— T.J. Houshmandzadeh (@housh84) February 13, 2023
Hey @NFLOfficiating pic.twitter.com/dVpGXEXB1I
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 13, 2023
James Bradberry: I pulled on his jersey. They called it. I was hoping they would let it ride. pic.twitter.com/JwCi4laT56
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 13, 2023
#Bengals fans #Eagles fans
🤝
Getting hosed late in the Super Bowl pic.twitter.com/xStPHcDISl— 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@BengalsCaptain) February 13, 2023
Was on its way to being an instant classic. Then that. Smh just sucks for the game.
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) February 13, 2023
An extremely weak and soft holding call has now decided two straight all-time great Super Bowls. That’s a damn shame! pic.twitter.com/Pn7z638rKh
— Sam Block (@theblockspot) February 13, 2023
That is a brutal way to decide what had the makings of an all-time great championship game. #Chiefs #Eagles #SuperBowl
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) February 13, 2023
His hand on his back had no effect on his route! This game was too damn good for that call to dictate the outcome at the end. Damn! By the way I have no horse in the race. Just my professional opinion
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 13, 2023
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's DJ Reader: Holding calls at end of Super Bowls are crazy
