Philly TV host slams Super Bowl penalty on Eagles’ James Bradberry: ‘Utter, complete bulls**t!’

Michael Barkann said what every Eagles fan was thinking Sunday night.

Philadelphia lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35, in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

The Chiefs’ game-winning drive was aided by a questionable holding call on Eagles cornerback James Bradberry.

And Barkann, the long-time host on NBC Sports Philadelphia, aired his grievances on the post-game show alongside Ron Jaworski, Barrett Brooks and Reuben Frank. You can see the video clip here.

“Carl Cheffers’ team with a bulls** call! I mean utter, complete bulls**t is unbelievable! It’s inexcusable! You don’t make a call right then and there! You don’t let the game be decided by the officiating! And yes, it’s true, the officials go both ways, and you got to rise above it. I understand. This is the fricking Super Bowl and that should never happen!”

After the game, referee Carl Cheffers talked about the penalty with PFWA pool reporter Lindsay Jones.

Question: Take me through that holding call on the final drive against the Eagles. What did you see there?

Cheffers: “The receiver went to the inside and he was attempting to release to the outside. The defender grabbed the jersey with his right hand and restricted him from releasing to the outside. So, therefore, we called defensive holding.”

Question: What specifically about that play was the part that merited the flag, just to be perfectly clear?

Cheffers: “The grabbing of the jersey that restricted his free release to the outside.”

Question: Was that a pretty clear case of it from your vantage point?

Cheffers: “It was a clear case of a jersey grab that caused restriction.”

Question: How much debate was there amongst the crew when that flag was thrown? Was there a discussion amongst the crew?

Cheffers: “There was no debate. Just making sure what he had, and once he told us what he had, we went about our business.”

Question: The restriction, did it happen at the top of the route or was it after the receiver had turned?

Cheffers: “He went to the inside, he put a foot down to try and break to the outside. So, it was right at the break to the outside where the defender grabbed his jersey and prevented his free release to the outside.”

Question: Was there anything about that play or that flag that you think would be helpful for people to know?

Cheffers: “I don’t think so. That’s what we’re looking for, those kind of restrictions in those kind of routes that put the receiver at a disadvantage.”

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During the broadcast on FOX, rules expert Mike Pereira said the penalty had to be called. But N.J. native Greg Olsen disagreed.

“I hear what you’re saying, Mike. He has that right hand. I get it. I just think in this moment … oh, man, that is a game-altering penalty.”

However after the game, Bradberry pleaded guilty: “It was a holding. I tugged on the jersey.”

MORE SUPER BOWL:

– Donald Trump blasts Rihanna for ‘worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history’

– Ref defends penalty on Eagles’ James Bradberry during Chiefs’ final drive to win Super Bowl

– Super Bowl field conditions for Chiefs, Eagles are ‘ridiculous’: ‘The turf is a joke!’

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.