Saints Owner Speaks Out Amid Backlash After Patriots Loss – as Viral Video Shows Referee’s Controversial Behavior
Saints Owner Speaks Out Amid Backlash After Patriots Loss – as Viral Video Shows Referee’s Controversial Behavior
New Orleans, October 13, 2025
Following the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing a referee’s questionable conduct during the New Orleans Saints’ 25-19 loss to the New England Patriots, the Saints organization has officially responded to growing criticism.
🚨THE WORST REFS OF ALL-TIME🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 12, 2025
Adrian Hill and his crew initially ruled this a catch and down by the #Saints, despite clearly being a fumble & recovered by NE.
After replay review the refs finally overturned it.
They have not gotten a single call right.pic.twitter.com/1rXAqCvnbr
During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Saints owner Gayle Benson firmly denied claims that the team received any favoritism from officials, emphasizing that the Saints have always competed with honesty, integrity, and respect for the game.
“We’ve always valued fairness and respect for the rules above all else,” Benson said. “Football is a physical sport — controversial moments happen. But to say the referees favored the Saints is simply untrue and unfair to our players’ hard work.”
Benson added that every team faces tough or controversial calls at some point, and that her organization accepts the outcome of the game with professionalism:
“We respect the decisions made by the officials and by the NFL Committee. Not every call will please everyone, but the Saints would never question the integrity of the officiating crew.”
Cornerback Quincy Riley, who was penalized for a disputed pass interference in the first half, also spoke up in defense of the team:
“The Patriots are a great team. We played hard and respected them. Contact and tough calls are part of the game — what matters is that both sides gave everything they had.”
Closing the press conference, Benson urged fans and the media to evaluate the game with fairness and perspective:
“A football game can’t be defined by one play or one viral clip. It’s about 60 minutes of effort, emotion, and competition from both teams.”
👉 “We don’t need favoritism to fight — we just need the same chance to prove ourselves as every other team in the NFL,” Benson concluded.













