Cincinnati, OH – October 17, 2025
The NFL is facing yet another storm of controversy — this time with a stunning claim from one of its most respected figures. Former All-Pro lineman and Bengals legend
Andrew Whitworth has openly accused referee Clay Martin’s crew of “rigging and orchestrating the scoreline” in the Bengals’ narrow 33–31 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 7.
Whitworth, who played 16 seasons in the league and is widely regarded as one of the most respected voices in football, didn’t mince words during his appearance on
The Herd. “You watch that tape and tell me it was clean — I dare you,” he said. “When the same crew controls momentum with phantom flags and false starts that only go one way, it’s not football anymore. It’s choreography.”
The turning point he referred to came late in the third quarter, when the Steelers were flagged for a false start on a tush-push attempt at the Bengals’ 38-yard line. The penalty erased a likely first down and forced Pittsburgh to settle for a field goal instead of a potential touchdown. The Bengals capitalized on the next drive, marching 75 yards for seven points and flipping the lead for good.
Video review showed that center Mason Cole’s movement before the snap was minimal — the same motion allowed for Eagles center Jason Kelce in identical plays. Yet, unlike Philadelphia, the Steelers were penalized immediately.
“That’s inconsistency at best and favoritism at worst,” Whitworth said. “You can’t tell fans this game’s fair when you change the rulebook based on the uniform.”
The officiating crew led by Clay Martin — including
Steve Woods (Umpire), Jerod Phillips (Down Judge), Brian Perry (Line Judge), Dave Hawkshaw (Field Judge), Alonzo Ramsey (Side Judge), Greg Wilson (Back Judge) — has drawn mounting criticism in recent weeks for questionable calls and uneven enforcement of movement penalties. Several analysts have noted the
“pattern of protection” given to Cincinnati in critical downs.
ESPN rules analyst Gene Steratore agreed the flag was “questionable at best.” He added, “If you’re going to call that on Pittsburgh, you’ve got to call it on every team. Otherwise, it’s not rule enforcement — it’s outcome management.”
Whitworth’s statement, coming from a former Bengals icon rather than a bitter opponent, only deepened the shockwave. “I love this city. I love the Bengals,” he said. “But I can’t ignore what I saw. When a win doesn’t feel earned, it hurts the players, the fans, and the shield itself.”
Across social media, the reaction was explosive. Hashtags like #RiggedInCincy and #ClayMartinCrew trended within hours, with even neutral fans demanding the NFL review the officiating from the game. Steelers head coach
Mike Tomlin declined to comment directly but remarked pointedly, “Some games are won on effort, others are decided elsewhere.”
Whitworth closed his remarks with a warning that cut deep:
“Football’s built on trust — trust in the rules, trust in fairness. When that’s gone, the scoreboard might as well be scripted. Sunday felt scripted.”
As the league remains silent on the matter, one thing is clear — when a Bengals legend accuses his own team’s officiating of crossing the line, the question isn’t about rivalry anymore. It’s about integrity.
