James Cook adamantly rejected the excuse that the refs had anything to do with the Chiefs' AFC title

While the Chiefs have benefited from some favorable calls this season, Sunday’s AFC Championship Game was about as fairly an officiated game as we could have asked for. Still, that didn’t stop fans from claiming that the officials handed the Chiefs another Super Bowl berth.

Bills running back James Cook was not about to join that chorus.

The two questionable moments that went against the Bills included Josh Allen being ruled short on a QB sneak (he may have gotten there, but it absolutely wasn’t clear) and an acrobatic catch by Xavier Worthy (the Bills were called for holding anyway on the play). But again, there was an argument to be had about either side of the calls — they weren’t blatantly missed.

Still, Cook was asked about the officiating, and he wanted no part in blaming the refs. (Warning: Strong language in the video)

Bills RB James Cook on officiating:

“At the end of the day, you got to come in there ready to go… f**k that ref sh*t. You gotta come in there ready to go, ready to play. Don’t give a ref nothing to call.”

(@KickinItWithDee)
pic.twitter.com/T1pu21SSI4

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 30, 2025

Cook said that it was the team’s responsibility to play a clean game not give the refs something to call. He wasn’t going to make the easy excuse of officiating, and honestly, more Bills fans should follow that example.