Troy Aikman believes the NFL’s gambling partnerships have made it increasingly crucial to ensure accurate calls on the field. Aikman became a folk hero for voicing his criticism of the officiating during the Kansas City Chiefs-Houston Texans matchup alongside Joe Buck in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs for ESPN. After witnessing Patrick Mahomes benefit from two questionable calls, Aikman appeared infuriated and insisted that the NFL needed to “address it in the offseason.”
The NFL has since supported both calls that Aikman and many others criticized. In a recent episode of Jimmy Traina’s Sports Illustrated Media Podcast, Aikman shared that he doesn’t think he harshly critiques the officials, despite fans tagging him with that reputation. “I know the officials have a tough job,” Aikman remarked. “The scrutiny they’re under has intensified as we’ve advanced with instant replay. Unfortunately, the game has become more controversial.”
He added, “As the league partners with various gambling services, and with people gambling more than ever, the stakes of these calls are significant. We owe it to the fans to make sure we get it right, especially considering the financial implications involved. My position is that we need to lean on the NFL to say, ‘Hey, we need to fix this and address it in the offseason.’” Aikman believes it’s crucial to voice disagreement with calls but insists he never acts recklessly with his commentary.
Indeed, the NFL faces an officiating problem; they’re not making correct calls every time. While the solution may be debated, Aikman is right to highlight that the NFL’s betting interests increase scrutiny on the league and its officials, making it vital to mitigate conspiracy theories by ensuring the accuracy of calls.
