Former Seattle Seahawks Player Throws Shade: “Last Year the Referees Were More Impressive Than Your Team!”

The American football world is abuzz following a candid statement from Richard Sherman, former Seattle Seahawks star, who openly questioned the real achievements of last season’s top NFL teams and boldly implied the “assistance” of referees. In a recent podcast episode, Sherman—who was the face of the legendary “Legion of Boom”—did not hesitate to take a jab at the reigning Super Bowl champions, suggesting that their narrow victories over the league’s weakest teams only happened thanks to favorable calls from the officials.

Sherman’s remarks quickly drew significant attention, as refereeing remains a hot topic of debate in the NFL. He emphasized that, without those controversial calls, some top teams might not have made it past the bottom-ranked opponents. In his view, the new season is the time for teams to prove their true abilities, not to continue relying on the “pampering” from the “zebras”—the playful nickname NFL players give to referees.

“Honestly, last year I felt the refs had more highlight plays than that team! They barely scraped by the bottom teams, and let's not pretend—everyone saw those calls. This year, I want to see if the Chiefs are for real, without the zebras giving out cuddles on every play.”
(Richard Sherman on his podcast)

Within hours, Sherman’s comments sparked a massive wave of debate on social media. Many fans agreed that the NFL needs more fairness, while others dismissed his remarks as psychological warfare ahead of the new season. Renowned not only for his impressive achievements—Super Bowl XLVIII champion, multiple All-Pro selections—Richard Sherman is also famous for his strong personality and fearless, outspoken style. Hot takes like these have become his trademark, keeping football debates lively and engaging.

The new season promises plenty of drama, and there’s no doubt that the sharp, outspoken opinions of veterans like Sherman will continue to be a “hot” topic off the field. The big question remains: Will this year’s top teams prove their real class, or once again become the center of endless banter?