MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe is criticizing the officiating crew that called 20 penalties in an ugly 12-10 preseason loss to the San Diego Chargers on Friday night.
Kluwe tweets that “the NFL really needs to kiss and make up with the refs. These replacements are horrible. Frankly, it’s kind of embarrassing.”
The NFL is currently in a labor dispute with its officials and has been using replacement crews to fill in. Two of the calls from referee Wayne Elliott’s crew were overturned on review.
Kluwe also tweets that “I’m sure they’re trying hard, but they’re just not good. So many blown calls tonight in both directions.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this week replacements could be used in the regular season if a deal is not reached soon.
