In a shocking twist that transcended rivalry lines, Cincinnati Bengals legend Boomer Esiason has publicly defended the Pittsburgh Steelers after their controversial 31–33 loss to the Bengals on Thursday Night Football. Speaking on CBS’s The NFL Today, the former MVP called for an official NFL investigation into what he described as “a disgrace to the game.”
“I’m a Bengal — everyone knows that. But what I saw Thursday night was embarrassing,” Esiason said. “The Steelers got robbed. Those calls weren’t just bad — they destroyed the integrity of what both teams fought for.”
Esiason’s outrage stemmed from two pivotal officiating moments that completely shifted the outcome. The first came late in the fourth quarter when Aaron Rodgers launched a deep ball to DK Metcalf, only for Bengals safety Jordan Battle to intercept it. Replays showed the ball sailing well beyond Metcalf’s reach before contact — an uncatchable pass — yet officials refused to review the play, granting Cincinnati possession that led to the game-winning field goal.
Almost instantly, the hashtag #RiggedTNF trended across social media. Former NFL referee analyst Terry McAulay slammed the decision, saying:
“That’s a play that changes standings, playoff implications, and locker rooms. If that’s not reviewed, then what is?”
But the controversy didn’t stop there. Earlier in the game, the Steelers were flagged for a false start on a 4th-down Tush Push — the very same play the Philadelphia Eagles have run for years without penalty. Fans quickly dug up side-by-side footage comparing both plays, captioned:
“THE REFS RULED THIS A FALSE START FOR THE #STEELERS… AND FOR THE #EAGLES, THEY DID NOT CALL A PENALTY. SAME EXACT PLAY. UNBELIEVABLE.”
The clip went viral, with thousands of fans across the league furious over what they called “double standards” in officiating. ESPN’s Mina Kimes posted, “If the NFL lets this slide, they’re sending a message that fairness is optional.”
Even lifelong Bengals fans admitted something felt off, noting the 11–4 penalty imbalance that repeatedly pushed Pittsburgh backward.
Esiason concluded his remarks with a statement that silenced the studio:
“I love the Bengals, but I love football more. You don’t win by hurting the game. The Steelers didn’t lose — they got robbed. And if the NFL stays silent, what’s really lost tonight isn’t the game — it’s the integrity of football itself.”
As of now, the NFL has yet to release an official statement, but pressure is mounting on the league’s competition committee to review the footage and address the growing outcry.
#RiggedTNF #SteelersNation #BoomerEsiason #NFLControversy #FairPlayMatters
