Pittsburgh Steelers fans are still furious over the false start penalty called against long snapper Christian Kuntz late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game against the New England Patriots.
The call came on a 4th-and-2 situation when the Steelers were attempting to punt the ball away. When watching the video, it looks like Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai jumped offsides early, but the call ended up going the other way on the field.
It was a big break for a Patriots team that had multiple mistakes on special teams throughout the night. This one, however, would have given the Steelers offense a new set of downs and another chance to put points on the board.
Here’s a different angle of the false start. Refs called this “abrupt movement” by the long snapper. #NEvsPIT pic.twitter.com/hThMaDaHkG
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) December 8, 2023
There’s no love lost between the Patriots and Steelers. So it didn’t come as any surprise to see Steelers fans taking to social media to call out the officiating in the loss.
We’ve compiled some of the best reactions to the controversial call on here.
Steelers fans were not happy with the officiating in Thursday night's game against the Patriots
In what world is this a false start on the Steelers? Once again, NFL officials ruin yet another close game with crappy calls like this. Come on man! #NFL #SteelersvsPatriots #ThursdayNightFootball #TNF #WTF pic.twitter.com/6fim7UU7rO
— Bwn Radio (@BwnRadio3312) December 8, 2023
Proof that you don’t watch Steelers games. We get screwed as much as the next team. This game had some favorable calls for us, all negated by the ghost false start call on the punt
— ❌FireMikeTomlin❌ (@boo_matt51837) December 8, 2023
Another ref induced loss for Steelers. False start with seconds left in the game sealed the deal. Steeler season is over. NFL is scripted. They need to make room for the miraculous come back for the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. Brought to you by DraftKings.
— Follow the Facts (@FactsMatter__) December 8, 2023
🙋♀️I was yelling when he made that stupid call. Oh and what about that false start they called on the Steelers instead of where it belonged which was on New England.
— 'G' Thang (@Mammagistweetin) December 8, 2023
The refs, though…the generous placements for the Patriots, and obviously the “false” false start. I’m not sure what was worse, the play calling or Trubisky. The Steelers have needed a solid QB more than anything.
— ☆ E-Dub ☆ (@CowboysSupaFan) December 8, 2023
100% agree with everything said here. That call was brutal & if I were a #SteelersNation fan, I’d want an explanation
Key false start foul on long snapper ended late drive for Steelers https://t.co/5qzwtEpe3U
— Kyle McGee (@KyleM4386) December 8, 2023
@KenCarman @SportsBoyTony i watched most of last night and it was worth it to see the steelers get hosed on a false start. Loved hearing the boos from the mountain dwellers. Loved it. Fantastic stuff by the refs
— Taylor Tolliver (@taylortolliver) December 8, 2023
I understand Steelers lost because of that false start call on the punt BUT they still looked HORRIBLE! @steelers #TNF
— Robert Orr (@scubert4) December 8, 2023
@steelers got robbed on that false start during the punt!
— Samuel Petersen (@theearthstars) December 8, 2023
No it wasn’t fair MMMM the false start on the Steelers when it was clearly the pats Player who did the false start
— Morgan wallen (@MWfanreal) December 8, 2023
The NFL is rigged.
The books absolutely killed it with the Patriots Steelers betting lines.
The OVER hit. NE ML hit. NE 1st TD hit.
Just about everything you thought wasn't going to happen, happened.. 😂
..and a made up false start penalty, smh
— Madball Sports™ (@MadballSports) December 8, 2023
Worst false start call in the history of the @NFL 🤦
It killed the comeback… refs need to be held accountable! @NFLOfficiating#NFL #ThursdayNightFootball @steelers #SteelersvsPatriots pic.twitter.com/Ia4a23e3Uv
— Samuel Petersen (@theearthstars) December 8, 2023
Don’t care how much people want to ignore it, that incorrect False Start/Offsides on 4th down was the difference. We shut them out for the final 37 minutes. Our games will always be close but you cannot have the refs making those mistakes. Especially when it’s blatant.
— David (@DavidWiggins26) December 8, 2023
By no means was it the reason they lost. But that false start was one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen. How simple are these refs?? Refs suck. Steelers might just be worse. #steelers
— Joey (@JoeyLaf7) December 8, 2023
Absolutely horrendous calls down the stretch. No where near a false start. That is just incredible that they called it. Patriots know they messed up. Entire broadcast crew thought it was in NE. But no, the @NFL continues to screw over the Steelers. Then a PI on Johnson…..no call
— Tyler Beck (@tbuckets1929) December 8, 2023
We are always going to play tight games. The refs blowing that 4th down false start/offsides was likely the difference as we shut them down for the last 37 minutes of the game. There has to be a review system in place as they changed the outcome of the game.
— David (@DavidWiggins26) December 8, 2023
A firm assertion that the Steelers' action was not a false start, expressing a perspective on the play in question. #Steelers #NFL #SteelersShowcase pic.twitter.com/xDh4HO0fz5
— Adeacher Report (@AdrianQuil99091) December 8, 2023
The refs are always screwing the Steelers over, that false start call was bogus,he can look up or side to side,he did not move and the replay showed that he didn't move, they always do that to the Steelers and it's never addressed, when I put my studio together I'm gonna prove it
— Kash K.#1 (@Sha_GK_Kash) December 8, 2023
But the referee suck also. That wasn’t a false start on Steelers center
— brandon lee johnson (@Bigb3196) December 8, 2023
Yes the false start call was awful.
But you just let a bad offense on a 2-10 team put up 21 points and beat you at home. Unreal play calling and coaching.
It can’t hinge on a punt penalty.
Time for the reset button.#steelers
— nick marzock (@NickMarzock) December 8, 2023
Yeah the false start was a bad call, but the Steelers earned this loss. Complete offensive incompetence
— Kyler Burd (@AZCard_BurdsEye) December 8, 2023
