See: Patrick Mahomes ‘flop’ in NFL playoffs condemned

Three-time Super Bowl champion and current broadcaster Troy Aikman led the chorus of criticism against superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes for ‘flopping’ in Kansas City Chiefs‘ controversial victory over Houston Texas on Saturday.

After seeing the Texans flagged for roughness earlier in the National Football League The playoff game saw Mahomes dramatically throw himself to the ground during a fourth-quarter play that drew the ire of pundits and fans alike.

In ESPN’s commentary box, analyst Aikman said: “He’s trying to draw the penalty. Instead of just running out of bounds, he’s slowing down. And that’s been the frustration, and I understand that. I understand that. That’s been the frustration for these defensive players around the league.”

The Texans weren’t penalized for the play, but that didn’t stop the wave of outrage on social media from fans irritated by such antics in American football, with two separate calls earlier in the game in favor of the Chiefs adding to the feeling of injustice.

Aikman had said he “couldn’t disagree more” with the decision to penalize Houston’s Henry To’oTo’o and Folorunso Fatukasi for a hit on Mahomes in the third quarter, saying the quarterback had become a “runner” during the game, meaning rules designed to protect the QB should not apply. ESPN’s on-air rules expert Russell Yurk also said he did not believe the Houston players hit Mahomes when he fell, but rather they hit each other with Mahomes underneath them. The Chiefs took advantage of the ruling and went on to score a touchdown to put them up 20-12.

Earlier in the contest, Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. also felt aggrieved when he was flagged for fouling the ball on an incomplete pass from Mahomes. That drive ended with a field goal that put the Chiefs ahead 6-3, and Anderson Jr. was blunt in his post-match assessment, telling reporters that “we knew it was going to be us versus the refs going into this game”.

While NFL players can be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, there is no official rule against “flopping” or “diving” specifically. Aikman urged the NFL to change the rules, saying, “They need to address it in the offseason.”

Kansas City won the game 23-14 to advance to the AFC Championship game, where they await the winners of Sunday’s game between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. Later on Saturday, the Washington Commanders and their rookie QB Jayden Daniels pulled off a huge upset to reach the NFC Championship game with a win over the top-seeded Detroit Lions. The Commanders will next face either the Los Angeles Rams or the Philadelphia Eagles.

After winning the previous two showcases, the Chiefs have the chance to go for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl victory, with Mahomes chasing a fourth overall crown.

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