NFL Fans Rip Refs for Missing Obvious Face Mask on Joe Burrow

Karl Rasmussen | Dec 9, 2024

Joe Burrow is tackled by his face mask against the Dallas Cowboys. / Screenshot via Rate the Refs App on X

Face mask penalties are usually among the most obvious violations in the NFL, yet somehow officials continue to miss them on what feels like a weekly basis. Referees failed to throw a flag after another blatant face mask during Monday Night Football after Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow fumbled the ball while being dragged down the cage of his helmet.

Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau attempted to make a tackle on Burrow while he moved around in the pocket. Liufau caught Burrow square in the head and proceeded to grab his face mask while trying to bring him down. The Bengals quarterback's head could be seen twisting around as he lost control of the football.

Cincinnati was able to dive on the football and recover the fumble, but no flags were thrown on the play. That set up a fourth down and long for the Bengals, who had to punt the ball away in a 20–20 game during the fourth quarter.

NFL fans weren't happy after another blatant face mask penalty went unpunished, and they took to social media to voice their displeasure.

Another week, another terrible missed facemask by NFL officiating. pic.twitter.com/XC3bywOvCv

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 10, 2024

refs: “there was no facemask on the play”

joe burrow: pic.twitter.com/wQxNIewvhI

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) December 10, 2024

Watching Burrow get face mask yanked and refs missing it is why we need to be able to challenge all plays.

— Joe Theismann (@Theismann7) December 10, 2024

HOW ARE THE REFS THIS GOD AWFUL

EVERY WEEK IT’S SOMETHING CLEAR AS DAY pic.twitter.com/gHlPKz4nn3

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 10, 2024

They need to allow replay assist to correct missed face mask calls. It’s a penalty that is pretty cut and dry. The refs are missing too many in close games. Use the science.

— Cedric Golden (@CedGolden) December 10, 2024

refs watching burrow's head turn completely backward but deciding not to call a penalty pic.twitter.com/6VDqWEELPr

— Casey (@stumbelina) December 10, 2024

To be fair no refs are watching the qb or especially the guy with the ball…play on https://t.co/UlxIG7kSpC

— cameron percy (@cameronpercy1) December 10, 2024

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