NFL officials want the Steelers to win...except when they want them to lose

In the days since the Steelers defeated the Bengals, 24-16, in an important Week 2 showdown at Heinz Field last Sunday, there have been claims made by many football fans (mainly those who paint their faces like striped jungle cats) that not only did the officials on hand blow a call at the end when Cincinnati receiver Tyler Boyd fumbled after his knee may have already been down; they did so because they wanted Pittsburgh to win.

As a fan of the Steelers, I’m not even offended. I mean, it’s refreshing, and a good omen as far as Super Bowl LI is concerned. Let’s face it, history (and Youtube comments) tells us the only time Pittsburgh ever wins a Super Bowl is when the officials cheat in-order to secure the Lombardi for the Chief or his son, Dan.

In-fact, here’s a totally unbiased article detailing 10 plays from Super Bowl XLIII that unfairly went against the Cardinals. In-addition to somehow capturing photographic evidence of at least one official draped in black and gold as if the entire world wasn’t watching, the most priceless part of the article is the first play on the list: the writer actually says that since Ben Roethlisberger’s first quarter touchdown run was reversed after further review, this hurt the Cardinals because it cost them a challenge (nevermind that it saved them four points).

And, of course, No. 9 on this list: Santonio Holmes’ post-touchdown celebratory LeBron chalk toss that wasn’t flagged. That’s right, even though it’s been nearly eight years since Super Bowl XLIII (and since that article was written), I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that people wanted to potentially alter a championship game based on a player throwing imaginary chalk dust in the air right after he made one of the most clutch catches in professional football history.

Back to the recent accusations levied against the officials for cheating on the Steelers’ behalf last Sunday.

Here’s an article written by Mike DeCourcey of the Sporting News, rehashing a number of bad calls (and non-calls) made by the now infamous Pet Morelli officiating crew in Sunday’s AFC North clash. If you’re an orange with black stripes face painter, no, all the calls didn’t go against the Bengals.

There were missed holding calls on both sides, a couple of ticky-tack pass interference penalties called against Pittsburgh and maybe a more legit one that wasn’t called against Adam Jones, the questionable non-touchdown when Bengals tight end C.J. Ozomah’s knee may have come down in the end zone, and, naturally, helmet hits on Roethlisberger that were missed.

But even though Sunday’s crew was pretty unbiased with regards to its shoddy officiating for about 58 minutes, at the very end, the folding chair was whipped out from underneath the ring, Boyd was smacked in the head by James Harrison, and Morelli gave the quickest three-count in the history of sports entertainment.

Again, it was a nice change because it’s often the other way around. Usually that no good Godell and his minions want the Steelers to loose (that’s “lose” in Internet sports speak).

Even before Roger Goodell became commissioner thanks in-part to Dan Rooney’s influence, the NFL had it out for the Steelers.

Remember the divisional playoff game against the Colts following the 2005 season? Remember Troy Polamalu’s interception reversal? Like Joey Porter said, “You’re going to cheat on national television?” Peezy also said, “Cheat that! Cheat that!” right after Peyton Manning was sacked on fourth down and right before Jerome Bettis fumbled on first down (Porter may have died from outrage had the Colts won that game).

There were a number of shady calls made in that playoff game. Maybe that’s why the officials bent over backwards to hand Pittsburgh the Lombardi Trophy a few weeks later in Super Bowl XL. They knew Porter knew. They knew you and I knew. They knew they were trying to cheat on behalf of Indianapolis, and the only way to make up for it was to screw the Seahawks something good.

What about Godell’s buddy, Robert Kraft? And his poster boy quarterback, better known as Pretty Boy Tom Brady? Goodell will do anything to help his precious New England beat the Steelers. That’s why Pittsburgh was scheduled to play the Patriots on the road in Week 1 of last year after Brady’s suspension was thrown out; and that’s why New England will face the Steelers at Heinz Field this year AFTER Brady’s suspension is served.

It’s all a conspiracy.

Even the network announcers want the Steelers lose. As I checked my Twitter feed this past Sunday, I was glad to see others agreed with me, which was why I tuned into the Steelers Radio Network—a place for unbiased coverage.

But unlike those Bengals faithful, at least Steelers fans have class when dealing with an injustice. Remember that time Pittsburgh missed the playoffs because the Chargers lined up illegally during a field goal miss by Ryan Succop, and nothing was called?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve long-since forgotten all about that clear miscarriage of justice.

So, what’s my point in all of this? Why did the officials not rule Tyler Boyd down by contact?

It’s because NFL officials want the Steelers to win, like in all of those Super Bowls (especially the ones against the Cowboys in the 1970s)...except for when they want them to lose, like in any game Tom Brady or that goody two shoes Peyton Manning is quarterbacking...or when the Chargers are playing the Chiefs.