Damian Lillard might be an NBA superstar, but even he couldn’t ignore the chaos unfolding in Super Bowl 59. While the Eagles dominated the Chiefs, the referees were stealing the spotlight — for all the wrong reasons.
Questionable calls, missed flags, and some downright head-scratchers had NFL fans fuming, and Lillard was right there with them, calling out the officiating like a seasoned football analyst.
Damian Lillard Joins NFL’s Favorite Super Bowl Tradition: Complaining About Refs
The refs wasted no time making their presence felt in Super Bowl 59, and Lillard wasn’t having it. The eight-time NBA All-Star took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to drop a simple but telling reaction: “These refs starting early lol.”
These refs starting early lol
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 9, 2025
NFL fans had plenty to say, too.
The game had barely settled in when questionable calls started flying.
Some fans weren’t thrilled with Lillard jumping into the NFL ref debate. “Don’t fuel the narrative Dame c’mon,” one user pleaded, urging him not to add fuel to the fire.
Don’t fuel the narrative Dame cmon
— SportsBetLion (@SportsTokUS) February 10, 2025
Another took a more diplomatic approach: “I thought it was a good call but I don’t watch NFL like that so that might be why.” A casual take, but fair enough.
Then there were the frustrated fans. “That’s exactly why I’m trying not to watch,” one user admitted, clearly fed up with the NFL’s officiating woes.
Another kept it simple: “Real talk bro.” Sometimes, less is more.
Of course, some couldn’t resist the irony. “NBA refs can’t relate,” one fan joked, pointing out that basketball officials aren’t exactly perfect either.
But the most passionate take: “It’s absolutely crazy man! Like what are they doing!” — a sentiment plenty of viewers echoed.
With a Super Bowl on the line, every call matters. But when the refs become the story, it’s never a good sign. If even Lillard is jumping into the conversation, you know NFL officiating has reached a new level of scrutiny. However, it never made a difference as the Eagles comfortably won 40-22.