Rob Gronkowski urges NFL to hold referees accountable for officiating
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 30, 2026, 1:20 PM
Last updated Oct 30, 2026
Rob Gronkowski has called for the NFL to impose penalties on referees, stating they should be held accountable like players and coaches. The former tight end highlighted a concerning trend of increased penalties this season, with 963 accepted flags marked by Week 4, the most since 1978. Gronkowski believes that certain calls, particularly pass interference and roughing-the-passer, need improvement to maintain fairness. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended officials, attributing the penalties to player actions, which has drawn criticism from various players including Tom Brady. Gronkowski's comments align with growing frustration regarding officiating, especially following questionable calls in recent games.
- •Gronkowski argues referees should face penalties for poor officiating.
- •NFL saw 963 accepted penalties by Week 4 this season.
- •Gronkowski identified pass interference and roughing-the-passer as key issues.
- •Goodell defended officials, citing player responsibility for fouls.
- •Growing player frustration could prompt discussions on officiating standards.
- 1:20 PMYahoo Sports — ‘Put the referees on a pedestal’: Rob Gronkowski calls for NFL to punish referees
"NFL officiating has been under a microscope all season, with penalty flags flying at a record pace and players, coaches, and broadcasters all sounding off on questionable calls. Now, one of the league’s most popular former players is calling for officials to face consequences. Rob Gronkowski argued that referees should be held accountable the same…
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