Latest Claim of NFL Game Rigging from Former NFL Player
This is a topic which comes up more and more as the years go on. We think it is due to a combination of factors including but not limited to:
- rise is popularity of sports betting
- a more cynical public after government and medical scandals
- former players openly admitting they think at least some games are fixed
We’ve written an entire article in the past about whether or not we think NFL games are fixed. One credible complaint came from a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player who was on the winning side of “fix”. Dwight Smith claimed he knew the Super Bowl he played in was rigged. You can read that article here which contains his interview.
LB Will Compton Makes New Allegations
Just a few days ago, former Nebraska Husker and 9 year NFL veteran Will Compton added his name to the growing list of former players who claim that games are rigged. He said: “NFL games are basically WWE now. All scripted. Fixed. They pick who they want to win. It’s all for entertainment and honestly I don’t even know why I watch & care so much. It’s all fake.”
Are these the reactionary words from a guy who lost a big bet? Or is this his honest insider opinion based on 9 years of experience in the league?
Talking heads have pointed out how much sway referees have over a game and that if games were going to be fixed, you would definitely accomplish this through holding and pass interference calls.
Comedian Jim Florentine stated on his post-Super Bowl podcast (available to Patreon subscribers only) that he paid extra attention to the flow of Super Bowl 58 and how the refs called the game. He said that the refs made sure to call a few ticky-tack holding calls on Kansas City early so that they couldn’t be accused of being partial late in the game when they would all but make sure the Chiefs would win. He went on to say that there was 0% chance that the NFL would let the Chiefs lose with Taylor Swift at the game and all of her fans tuning in.
Anyway you slice it, there are several credible sources and plenty of speculation that the NFL is interfering in the outcome of their games. We will never know if these accusations are credible until a referee or person directly involved in a fixing scandal comes forward or gets caught.