You don’t see this often.
In the third quarter of Sunday’s NFL playoff game against the Denver Broncos, the Buffalo Bills had to settle for a field goal after quarterback Josh Allen failed to find an open receiver on third down. The ensuring field goal made it 13-7.
Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain seemingly got away with pass interference on the play, and Allen wanted a pass interference penalty, but none was given.
During the commercial break after the field goal, referee Bill Vinovich then went to the sideline and CBS cameras caught him appearing to apologize to Allen. Check it out:
Bill Vinovich and Josh Allen having a chat pic.twitter.com/2LFbSXo6ua
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 12, 2025
Here’s a sampling of how fans and pundits reacted to the moment on Twitter/X:
I think most referees should be fired into the sun, but kudos to Bill Vinovich for (presumably) explaining to Josh Allen how his crew missed that holding call on Surtain. pic.twitter.com/qsiKTvppoq
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) January 12, 2025
Vinovich is one of the best guys the NFL has in stripes. THAT SAID…. I do *not* like the look of him coming to Allen on the bench and saying something.
If Allen & Buffalo get a real 50/50 call later it’s just fodder for the ThENflIsRigGed, MAN! people.
— Steve Czaban (@czabe) January 12, 2025
Why in the world is Vinnovich hanging out on the sidelines explaining anything to Allen. What is this crap?
— Dylan Pierce (@Dylanpierce83) January 12, 2025
Did Bill Vinovich(the lead ref) really just go over to Josh Allen on the sidelines and apologize for a missed call??
— shiesty all day (@AllShiesty) January 12, 2025
Vinovich APOLOGIZED to Allen on the sideline?!?!?!?!? Wtf!?!?!?!
— Jon D.🇺🇦 (@JDSportsfan85) January 12, 2025
This is one of the most pathetic images I have ever seen. @NFLOfficiating should be embarrassed by the sheer incompetence of Vinovich. I biased one sided joke of a referee. https://t.co/iCnSx1xN3q
— Ben The_Lone_wolf #NFB (@TheLoneWolf_NFB) January 12, 2025
And here is the missed call:
Josh Allen wanted a flag thrown on Pat Surtain II for holding Dalton Kincaid in the end zone. Bills had to settle for three points as a result. pic.twitter.com/HPDhfEIoVe
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) January 12, 2025
The Bills currently lead the Broncos 13-7 in the third quarter.
