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Aaron Rogers references the South Park episode to criticize the Jets' Bills officiating


Aaron Rogers references the South Park episode to criticize the Jets' Bills officiating

The New York Jets and Buffalo Bills combined for 22 penalties in the Jets' 23-20 loss on Monday. This prompted a reporter to ask New York quarterback Aaron Rodgers about the officiating.

In most cases, coaches and players tried to avoid any criticism of the officiating, even if it was perceived as harmless, in order to avoid a fine.

Rodgers was critical and even referenced a South Park episode to make his point.

“That seemed a little ridiculous,” Rodgers said over the line. “Yes, some of them seemed really bad, including the rough fight with the passerby. This doesn't mean angering the passer. We might as well play Sarcastaball if that's what we want to call it. And I thought attacking (Jets defenseman Javon) Kinlaw wasn’t going to rough the passer either.”

The two teams also combined for 204 penalty yards, more than ever in an NFL game this season.

Rodgers was referring to a third-down play at the Jets' 39-yard line midway through the third quarter. Rodgers was sacked by Buffalo's AJ Epenesa, who was called out for unnecessary harshness in the game.

The penalty gave the Jets a first down at their own 47 and ultimately helped them set up Greg Zuerlein for the game-winning field goal.

Kinlaw's penalty came on the Bills' go-ahead goal late in the fourth quarter. On a 2nd-and-11 at the Jets' 19-yard line, Kinlaw was called for roughing the passer after Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw an incomplete pass.

It gave the Bills a new string of losses and finally put Tyler Bass in position to hit a 22-yard field goal with 3:43 left to give the Bills the lead for good.

The Jets had 11 penalties for 110 yards and the Bills had 11 penalties for 94 yards.

As for Sarcastaball, it's the title of a 2012 “South Park” episode that turned football on its head by creating a game that eliminated the contact aspects of the game and replaced them with, among other things, balloons and hugs.

The episode also referenced a game Rodgers attended, a 2012 Packers-Seahawks game that was officiated by replacement referees. The game became famous for its controversial calls, including a Hail Mary by Seattle's Russell Wilson that was eventually caught by both a Seahawks wide receiver and a Packers defensive back.

One official called it a catch while another called it an interception. Eventually an agreement was reached for the two to have control of the ball at the same time, and Seattle scored a game-winning touchdown. The game is known by several nicknames, including “Fail Mary.”

The irony of him referring to Monday's episode is that he threw the fourth Hail Mary of his career to end the first half.

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