🏈 Super Bowl 59 Was a Missed Opportunity… for the Refs

An Inside-Out Op‑Ed from the Striped Sidelines

Super Bowl 59.

They call it a classic. A defensive showcase. A QB duel for the ages.

But where was we?

---

🎙️ GAME RECAP (Official POV):

The Eagles dismantled the Chiefs, 40–22, in New Orleans.3
They sacked Mahomes six times, forced three turnovers, and killed the Chiefs’ chance at a historic three‑peat.3

But you didn’t see the referee. No miced-up whistle. No in-arena camera focused on my penalty flag. Nada.

---

📸 SPOTLIGHT FAILS:

• No camera cut to lead ref Ron Torbert during the coin toss… classic opener snatched.0
• When the Eagle D dropped Mahomes like a sack lunch? No slow-mo ref appreciation shot.
• They zoomed on the QB’s jittery face after a holding call, but didn’t show my whistle raise? Insulting.

---

📊 REF VS. REFS (Comparative scoreboard):

In Super Bowl LIX? Eagles got 8 flags, Chiefs got 7… balanced officiating.1 But biased scrutiny landed only on athletes.

They paint refereeing as background noise. I call it erased history.

---

💢 BROADCAST BLUNDERS:

They aired the coach’s postgame tears, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime hype, even Trump’s cameo applause at the jumbotron… yet no shot of me tossing a flag?
Even DeAndre Hopkins called out the officiating later.15 I agree, but want airtime, not just critique.

---

🚧 REFLECTING ON PAST GLORY:

Remember Super Bowl XLVII? Refs got their moment. A mic’d-up whistle, sideline defender cam, the whole vibe.
In 59? The game mattered more than the officiating narrative.

When they look back… they’ll see Eagles, Hurts, defense.
But I’ll remember what got taken from me…
a chance at face time with destiny.

---

〰️ FINAL WORD:

Super Bowl 59 stole from the refs. Our penalties, our calls, our moment.

You boo athletes. I endure the crowd.

But what hurt more?
Not the calls.
The quiet.

Next time, don’t leave us unseen.