Washington, D.C. – Veteran tight end Zach Ertz of the Washington Commanders delivered a classy statement just hours after a 7-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. On National Tight End Day, Ertz not only joined NFL’s all-time elite with his 800th career reception but also called on fans to end the “drama” surrounding the
Virtual Measurement play that exploded on X (Twitter).
The pivotal moment occurred in the second half, as the Commanders pushed to tie the score at 14-7. Quarterback Marcus Mariota delivered an accurate pass to Ertz on
4th & inches near midfield. Initially, officials spotted it as a first down, sending Arrowhead Stadium into a frenzy.
However, after a review and utilizing the NFL’s new Hawk-Eye Virtual Measurement
technology, the call was overturned: the ball was short by 5 inches. The Commanders turned the ball over on downs, paving the way for the Chiefs to score a touchdown via Rashee Rice, extending the lead to 21-7. Video of the play went viral with over 50,000 views, sparking accusations of a “biased spot” and “refs favoring Chiefs” from Commanders fans.
In his post-game sideline interview with ESPN, Ertz – the Super Bowl LII champion with the Philadelphia Eagles – completely dismissed all suspicions. “I know everyone’s buzzing about that Virtual Measurement play on X.
Stop it! It was just a normal play, and the decision was completely by the rules. We lost because the Chiefs played better – Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice exploded in the second half. They
deserved the 28-7 win. Don’t blame the refs; focus on real football.”
Ertz also offered special praise for his counterpart, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who dominates the all-time tight end rankings. “Today, I rank
6th with 800 receptions in just 176 games. But Travis Kelce is 3rd with over 1,035 receptions in about 182 games – that’s extraordinary! He’s a living legend, and I
respect him immensely. Thanks to the Chiefs for giving me such a beautiful milestone.”
| Rank | Name | Receptions | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tony Gonzalez | 1,325 | 270 |
| 2 | Jason Witten | 1,228 | 271 |
| 3 | Travis Kelce | 1,035+ | ~182 |
| 4 | Antonio Gates | 955 | 236 |
| 5 | Shannon Sharpe | 808 | 188 |
| 6 | Zach Ertz | 800 | 176 |
Ertz’s comments swiftly shifted public sentiment. From furious posts with #ChiefsRefs, fans of the Commanders and Eagles pivoted to praising his “class act.” Kelce is reportedly replying on X: “Congrats on 800, Z! Legend!” – though unconfirmed.
Despite the defeat dropping the Commanders to 3-5, Ertz remains the team’s bright spot. With 25 receptions, 239 yards, and 4 TDs this season (leading in touchdowns), the 34-year-old is experiencing a renaissance in Washington after helping the team reach the NFC Championship last year. The next matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on November 2 promises a chance for Ertz to chase
810 receptions, while awaiting Jayden Daniels’ return from injury.
Ertz is more than a top tight end – he’s a symbol of professionalism. The Hall of Fame awaits in 2032.
