UPDATE: Bradberry himself also told reporters that the holding call was the correct one, saying, "It was a holding. I tugged his jersey. I was hoping they would let it slide."
The Eagles’ bid for another Super Bowl victory was spoiled by Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense in the second half on Sunday night, but many felt a soft holding call on cornerback James Bradberry was the real culprit behind Philly’s painful loss.
The holding call allowed Kansas City a fresh set of downs, and an opportunity to waste away the clock to where just 11 seconds remained before their go-ahead chip shot late in the fourth quarter.
Fans were furious on social media when discussing the controversial call, but JuJu Smith-Schuster, the targeted receiver on the holding call, says Bradberry was absolutely deserving of that flag.
“Oh yes. A hundred percent,” Smith-Schuster told reporters after the game. “My route was to strike in and strike back out. Bradberry is a good player, but I feel like…the call is gonna be called.”
It’s not surprising for Smith-Schuster to voice that opinion publicly, but given how the Super Bowl and the AFC title game ended, the officiating in the NFL will continue to be a major talking point.