10 NFL Fanbases That Always Blame the Refs

Every NFL fanbase thinks the refs are out to get them at some point. But some teams’ fans take it to another level like the zebras personally conspired to ruin their Sunday.

Win or lose, there’s always that one call they’ll bring up in every group chat, postgame rant, or social media meltdown. These are the 10 fanbases that treat every yellow flag like a personal attack.

10. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers fans
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Packers fans are convinced the refs are allergic to throwing flags for them and obsessed with throwing them against them. It’s never on the team if anything goes wrong—it’s always the stripes.

9. Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders Fans
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Raiders fans act like the league office has a decades-old vendetta. Has any penalty been called against them? It must be a setup.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Young fans at a Minnesota Vikings game
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The Vikings could fumble five times and still claim the refs were the real problem. There’s always a phantom hold or missed PI in the mix.

7. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys fans
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Cowboys fans can’t handle even one borderline call going the other way. Expect a complete breakdown on social media and at least one viral clip of a headset being thrown.

6. Buffalo Bills

Excited Buffalo Bills fans cheering at game
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Bills fans have trauma from years of weird calls and haven’t forgotten one. The moment things get close, they’re already bracing for what the refs might do.

5. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns fans
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Browns fans are so used to bad breaks that the referees are the first target. It’s almost a reflex at this point, and honestly, it’s hard to blame them.

4. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints fans celebrating with excitement
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Saints fans will never, ever let go of that one call. And every questionable flag since is just more fuel for the conspiracy fire.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers fans
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Steelers fans believe the refs have a weekly meeting to discuss how to ruin their day. If you question this, they’ll have screenshots, slow-mo replays, and a 12-minute YouTube video ready.

Read More: Our NFL Starter Picks for the Olympic Flag Football ‘Dream Team’

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles fans
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Eagles fans will scream about holding, PI, offsides—you name it—whether it happened or not. It’s always the refs, never the birds.

Read More: 10 Times Referees Changed the Outcome of a Major Game

1. Seattle Seahawks

Excited Seattle Seahawks fans cheering at game
Flickr

Seahawks fans believe no one gets officiated harder than their team. Every game recap includes a full review of every questionable call, like a court case.

Read More: 15 NFL Fanbases Who Would Fight a Ref in the Parking Lot

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