Masuk Free Press

Over the past few decades in the NFL, a joke has arisen about there being a script dictating how games and seasons play out. Years ago, it was a wild joke. Yet it has slowly developed into a paranoia for NFL fans. A combination of extremely poor officiating and the repeated success of league stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce has led to a genuine fear for the legitimacy of the sport many love. 

As the era of the great quarterbacks that emerged in the early 2000s was coming to an end, Mahomes seemed to be heir to the throne. But a Super Bowl loss in 2021 combined with trading away the most electrifying player in the league, Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs seemed to be in a downhill spiral. Left with just three dominant players, their receiver core was a shell of what it had been just two years earlier. Fans were tired of seeing the same team dominating. Yet, they still continued to return to the main stage in the following years, always slipping by with a win. 

“If a team is built well, there’s a chance of a dynasty,” said senior Luke Carroll. “With a team like the Chiefs, they’re going to find a way to win with Andy Reid coaching them.”

After winning last season’s Super Bowl, most wanted to see someone else in the big game. Thus, the Chiefs season was under scrutiny as NFL fans from all over looked forward to seeing the Chiefs fail. 

After an early loss to the Lions at the start of the season, it looked like their year would not end in success like years past. Without many of their past weapons, Mahomes looked out of place, and their defense looked weak compared to previous seasons. So when the Chiefs continued to win, many called that there was a script rigging the games. 

“I think people just want an excuse to discredit the team they don’t like,” said sophomore Saijon Gavin.

However, accusations of the NFL scripting their games in order for specific teams to win became more mainstream, and  started to reverberate throughout the league. The recent issues have led to fans keeping a close eye on officials, particularly at the recent playoff game against the Ravens in Baltimore. The league appointed a referee known for his heavy bias towards the away team, with the highest win percentage for away teams in the league. While a seemingly small issue, the public reaction was anything but. Outrage quickly arose between fans and news outlets were swift to capitalize on the decision. 

“I think it can seem like there’s a script sometimes,” said sophomore Joca Torre. “But I think it’s all just media.”

While the media does have a tendency to exaggerate and inflate issues, the claims could be based on truth. As this past season’s playoffs began, the Chiefs performed incredibly well, dismantling teams with dominance. Some felt that the incredibly talented teams the Chiefs were walking over did not have a fair chance in the game. With a below average receiver core, an incredible quarterback-tight end duo and a strong defense and a great coaching staff, the Chiefs seemed remarkably similar to the New England Patriots in the prior decade. Another team that had to survive the accusations of scripted games alongside cheating scandals, the survivability of the Patriots allowed them to continue their success. However, the question is not will the Chiefs survive the allegations, but instead what level of damage will it cause to the league? 

“I think if they really wanted to script the NFL, it would be such a hassle to get everyone on board, especially the practice squad,” said Carroll. “I think there are issues with certain refs, but I don’t think the games are designed or rigged.”
In the Super Bowl this year, the Chiefs started off slow. But their ability to stay calm under pressure allowed them to carry on to a win to the dismay of many. Unfortunately, the success of the Chiefs was overshadowed by an issue with the practice fields in the week leading up to the big game. The Chiefs were allowed to practice in the Las Vegas Raiders conditioned, indoor field, while the San Francisco 49ers played on a disheveled grass field. 

“Maybe it’s not entirely fair but some teams just have better experience, better coaching, they just know how to win and play the game,” said Gavin. “It doesn’t mean it’s rigged, people just want excuses for why the team they like lost.”

The league is currently in a state of confusion and fans are becoming increasingly convinced of an underlying script predetermining the seasons. While a crazy theory, the NFL script is threatening the sustainability of the league. With claims of a script striking to the heart of the games integrity Roger Goodell, commissioner of the league, is forced to do something about it.