Referee Bill Vinovich was seen talking to Bills quarterback Josh Allen after a controversial no-call, and several people appeared to be armed, but as it turned out, the appearance was not what it seemed.
Allen told reporters after the game that the conversation heard on CBS during the Bills' 31-7 home win over the Broncos was Vinovich telling Buffalo's QB to calm down. he said.
Allen was furious Sunday after referees appeared to miss a clear defensive pass interference to Denver corner Patrick Surtain II while guarding Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid.
In the clip that aired, Vinovich appeared to apologize to Allen for the missed call.
However, the reality was a little different.
“I wasn't happy with what was going on and I was yelling a little bit and he just said, 'Don't yell.' So, my bad, Bill, I'm sorry,” Allen said after the game. Ta.
When asked directly if Vinovich had apologized, Allen was a bit more reserved.
“I have nothing to say about that,” he replied with a laugh.
As one of the league's stars, it's not really surprising that some people's minds turned toward something a little more sinister, or the belief that Allen was getting some kind of special treatment.
Social media fanned the flames with many people's posts hinting at the situation.
“I've never seen referees flock to a QB after a blatant miscall in a game. And so friendly! Never,” ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. wrote of the X.
“A personal apology from the referee to Josh Allen. I've seen it all,” Barstool personality Jack Mack wrote.
Buffalo's victory moves them to face the Ravens in the AFC Divisional Round.
