Emerging Giants star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux blasted NFL officials for an apparent egregious bad call at the end of Big Blue’s crushing 13–10 overtime loss to the Jets during Week 8.
Thibodeaux joins Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson who also ripped officiating following Pittsburgh’s 20–10 loss against the Jaguars on Sunday.
The No. 5 overall pick in 2022’s NFL Draft shared a video of the late offsides call on the Jets’ game-tying drive in regulation, which essentially gave the Jets a free play. Zach Wilson connected with wideout Garrett Wilson for a 29-yard gain on the play, so the Jets declined the penalty.
However, the penalty stopped the clock, essentially allowing the Jets enough time to complete another pass in addition to a crucial spike with one second remaining before Greg Zuerlein’s game-tying 35-yard field goal.
The video shows Thibodeaux moving, but not entering the neutral zone or making any contact until after the ball is snapped.
Kayvon posted he was not offsides on the first play with 24 secs left that effectively was a 4th timeout after a 29 yard rec to Garrett Wilson.
— uSTADIUM App (@uSTADIUM) October 30, 2023
(🎥 @kayvont / IG) pic.twitter.com/cNhDtwL1st
“Refs need to go to a PR clinic,” Thibodeaux posted on his Instagram story. “Go with the ball.” (Credit for the quote goes to Bills DE Von Miller.)
The second-year end enjoyed arguably the best game of his young career in Week 8 against the Jets finishing with three sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
At the beginning of the Instagram story, Thibodeaux also played a video clip of NFL analyst Brian Baldinger praising the impressive outing.
"It's been a long time since we have seen a defensive performance by a Giant like Kayvon Thibodeaux did," said Baldinger.
