“Refs need to go to a PR clinic!” Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux lashes out at the referees on social media over a ‘crucial’ late-game offside call during the Jets game

Kayvon Thibodeaux unhappy with the last second penalty call on him during the Jets game

“Refs need to go to a PR clinic!” Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux lashes out at the referees on social media over a ‘crucial’ late-game offside call during the Jets game

Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) of the New York Giants (Image via IMAGO)

The New York Giants‘ emerging defensive end, Kayvon Thibodeaux, blasted the referees for making a bad call that, according to him, cost them the game against the New York Jets. They ended up losing the game over time by just three points, 13-10.

Thibodeaux is the latest to speak against bad officiating. Before him, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson also took a not-so-subtle dig at the referee following their 20-10 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

YouTube video

The 2022 5th overall pick shared a video of the late offside call on the Jets’ game-tying drive in regulation. It handed the Jets some extra seconds, which they used wisely. Quarterback Zach Wilson found the receiver, Garett Wilson, for a 29-yard gain.

FS Video

This nullified the penalty. Then, as per The New York Post:

Tthe penalty stopped the clock until it was announced and the ball was properly spotted, allowing the Jets to get to the new line of scrimmage with barely any time expiring.

It gave the Jets enough time to bring on kicker Greg Zuerlein, who scored for 35 yards and saved his team’s fourth defeat of the season. The video showed Thibodeaux moving but not entering the neutral zone. He did not even touch the ball before the snap for the referees to call it a penalty.

Kayvon Thibodeaux shared on his Instagram:

Refs need to go to a PR clinic.
Kayvon Thibodeaux on Instagram

It also included a quote from Bills pass rusher Von Miller, “Go with the ball.”

The Giants lost, but Kayvon Thibodeaux shined

Although the blue half of MetLife lost, Kayvon Thibodeaux was a standout performer. Some would argue that with his performance on Sunday night, he added brownie points and gave his critics a massive reply. This was based on the sluggish start to the season, which saw the Giants concede points left, right, and center.

"Refs need to go to a PR clinic!" Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux lashes out at the referees on social media over a 'crucial' late-game offside call during the Jets game
Kayvon Thibodeaux (Image via Sports Illustrated)

In just four games, they let in 128 points and scored only 46. Two more losses to the Dolphins and Bills followed. However, they beat a lackluster Washington side to gain some momentum. Thibodeaux recorded 1.5 sacks on Sam Howell—his best in the league at that point. This reminded many of his college football days with the Oregon Ducks.

But he truly shined against the Jets, sacking Zack Wilson three times. This took his tally for the season to 20 pressures and 7.5 sacks. 

If the late penalty hadn’t been called, then the Giants would be celebrating right now. However, they have to shake off their jitters about the game and focus on playing against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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