Portnoy Blasts ‘Disgusting’ Call in Jaguars’ Defeat

Lead Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy lambasted NFL officials after a controversial pass‐interference flag propelled the Cincinnati Bengals to a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.

Nut Graf Portnoy’s fiery social-media tirade on X spotlighted his frustration over officiating standards and underscored his personal wager on the Jaguars-fueling debate among fans over whether referees should bear greater accountability.

Game-Changing Penalty

Late in the fourth quarter, Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter deflected a pass intended for Bengals receiver Andrei Iosiva.
Officials called pass interference on Hunter, a 25-yard penalty that set up Cincinnati’s game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.
Portnoy decried the ruling as “outrageous” and insisted “you cannot allow referees to dictate the outcome of a game”.

Portnoy’s Rant on X

“This is a disgraceful ruling,” Portnoy wrote, praising Hunter’s “flawless defense” and demanding referee suspension.
He admitted wagering on the Jaguars and vowed to “boot” anyone who blamed his fandom for the rant.

Aftermath and Stakes

The loss dropped Jacksonville to 1-1 on the season, while Cincinnati improved to 2-0 despite playing without injured QB Joe Burrow.
Burrow, sidelined by a Grade 3 turf-toe injury, is expected to miss at least three months.
Hunter, the Jaguars’ rookie cornerback-turned-receiver, addressed the call at his postgame press conference, stressing he must “place myself in a better position next time”.

Portnoy’s outcry resonated across social media, reigniting debates over the impact of officiating on high-stakes NFL contests.