The entire NFL is in shock after Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott officially filed a petition to the league’s executive board, requesting a review of the entire game between the Bills and the New England Patriots. The game was already controversial after what was considered the “most serious refereeing error of the season” involving Patriots rookie Drake Maye.
According to sources from ESPN and NFL Network, McDermott submitted an official document with video evidence showing that the call was illegal and the referee awarded the touchdown to the Patriots, helping the team come back spectacularly in the final seconds. Immediately after the game, the Bills coach was furious in the press room, calling it a “disgrace to the league” and declaring:

“If this is how the NFL maintains fairness, then all the efforts of our players are meaningless. I demand that the league review the entire refereeing process.”
🔥 Shocking Play: Drake Maye Breaks the Rules, Referee Stays Silent
The controversy erupted in the final minute of the fourth quarter, when Drake Maye threw a 35-yard pass that crossed the line of scrimmage — something that should have been an immediate penalty. However, the referee did not blow the whistle, and the ball went to WR Kendrick Bourne, helping the Patriots score the winning score.
Veteran commentators Troy Aikman and Shannon Sharpe both spoke out in criticism:

“The rules are the rules. This is not a minor foul, it is a fundamental violation. If it is not reviewed, this will be a stain on the NFL 2025.”
On social network X (Twitter), millions of Bills fans were outraged with the hashtag #ReplayTheGame and #NFLRigged, demanding punishment for the main referee of the game – Ed Hochuli Jr..
⚖️ Official petition: Demand punishment of the referee team and postponement of the game
In the petition sent to the NFL Disciplinary Committee, Sean McDermott requested:
Open an internal investigation into the referee team that controlled the game.
Impose a suspension or heavy financial penalty.
Consider postponing the next round of the Bills’ game if the result is affected by the wrong decision.
This is the first time since 2019 that an NFL coach has officially filed a legal complaint about the refereeing. McDermott’s tough action has caused a heated discussion among the entire professional community.