Falcons Star Speaks Out on Controversial Play in Loss to Chiefs

The Chiefs won on Sunday Night Football over the Falcons to improve to 3-0, yet that hasn't stopped the social media discourse from turning ugly. One controversial late mistake by the referees has people buzzing, yet Falcons star safety Justin Simmons was quick to shut that notion down after the game.

With Atlanta needing a fourth-quarter TD to take the lead, Kirk Cousins threw to Kyle Pitts in the end zone. Bryan Cook obviously arrived early and should've been flagged for defensive pass interference. However, the referees missed the call and the ball fell incomplete.

Unlike many fans on social media, Simmons handled the moment with grace, pointing out that single play didn't lose the game for the Falcons.

Justin Simmons Responds to Controversial Missed DPI vs. Chiefs

Even with the missed call, Atlanta still had the ball in Kansas City territory with an opportunity to seal a win. They were ultimately stuffed on fourth down with a questionable run play, though Falcons fans are furious about the missed penalty regardless.

Considering the Chiefs beat the Bengals in Week 2 largely thanks to a correct defensive pass interference call, those fans do have a point.

Regardless, mistakes by the refs are nothing new. Chiefs fans remember the disastrous "forward progress" call against Derrick Johnson in the playoffs years ago, so this is a problem every team has to deal with.

One play never decides a game. Atlanta had plenty of chances to win, yet Kansas City ultimately prevailed. Simmons knows that, and he was one of the Falcons' best players too. He snagged an interception on a poor Patrick Mahomes pass, so he of all players has a right to be upset.

That kind of maturity goes far in a locker room. It doesn't sound like the Falcons' players themselves are too upset, so the fans will have to eventually get over it.

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