“F**k that ref s**t!” James Cook seemingly calls out Bills for AFC Championship game loss while denouncing officiating errors
James Cook had a good AFC Championship game for the Buffalo Bills even if they came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs.

James Cook believes the Buffalo Bills should have played differently against the Kansas City Chiefs (Image via Imago)
Everyone wants clean competitive football games. At least that is what fans, players and members of the media expect when playing or watching a game. But the situations surrounding the Buffalo Bills exit from the AFC Championship game have people talking about the officiating controversy more than the game.
First Xavier Worthy‘s ‘catch’ was deemed complete, whereas replays proved that he did not have control of the ball before it hit the ground. Commentators even suggested that it should go to the review booth and should have gone into the Buffalo Bills favor.
Then, towards the end of the game, Josh Allen looked like he managed to push the ball down enough to net the first down. However, referees ruled it a stop and awarded the Chiefs the ball back as a turnover on downs.
Therefore, the conversation is around what the Buffalo Bills did not get. So far, some analysts have started to talk about the mistakes the likes of Josh Allen and his teammates committed. Running back James Cook had an opinion about that while speaking on the podcast Kickin It With Dee.
I’m going to give you the most realest answer I can ever give you. At the end of the day, you got to come in there ready to go. F**k that ref s**t. You gotta come in there ready to go, ready to play. Don’t give a ref nothing to call.
James Cook said
“F**k that ref sh*t” 😤#Bills’ RB James Cook gave the realest answer when asked about the referee’s cheating for the #Chiefs.
— Kickin It With Dee (@KickinItWithDee) January 30, 2025
( @BuffaloFAMbase / @jasrifootball ) pic.twitter.com/snhH1UwfTN
With that comment, the Pro Bowl running back seemingly threw his team under the bus. He believes the Buffalo Bills should not have given the referees a chance to control the outcome. Rather, they should have given it their all to score more points to win the game.
James Cook did not have much to do in final Bills drive
James Cook finished the AFC Championship game with 85 yards rushing along and two touchdowns on the ground. He also contributed to the passing game with 49 receiving yards. However, in the final game deciding Buffalo Bills’ drive, he had no part at all.

The drive with 3:33 left on the clock started with Cook’s backup Ty Johnson getting a carry. However, he lost a yard, and the Bills were left stranded at their own 29-yard line, losing almost forty seconds in the process.
Thankfully, Josh Allen scrambled on the next to cover thirteen yards, enough to net a first down. The next three plays were all throws from the three-time Pro Bowler. However, he could only connect on one of them and was left facing a fourth and five.
Then the now infamous Kansas City Chiefs stop forced the Bills offense to leave the field and eventually end their season. It could be that James Cook believes he could have impacted the AFC Championship game just like he did earlier. Instead of that, the Bills excuse is on officiating mistakes.