Big Storm Before AFC Championship: What Did Coach Sean McDermott Know That Determined Him To Fire Referee Clete Blakeman?

Buffalo, NY – The football world stood still as an unprecedented storm—both literal and metaphorical—swept through Buffalo ahead of the AFC Championship.

While the meteorologists had warned of extreme weather conditions, the greater turbulence came from within the Buffalo Bills’ camp when head coach Sean McDermott made a shocking decision.

The unexpected move? Removing veteran referee Clete Blakeman from officiating duties. The question now burning in the minds of fans and analysts alike: What did McDermott know?

The Eye of the Storm

Buffalo had been riding high after their dominant divisional-round win, setting up a thrilling AFC Championship clash against their longtime rivals. But as the city braced for a winter storm, whispers of an off-field controversy began circulating.

Rumors turned into reality when McDermott, in a move almost unheard of in NFL history, exercised what some insiders claim was an ‘executive challenge’—a term not officially recognized in the rulebook—to ensure Blakeman would not oversee the most crucial game of the Bills’ season.

But why? What hidden knowledge did McDermott possess that forced him to take such a drastic measure?

Blakeman’s History with the Bills: A Timeline of Trouble

To understand McDermott’s motivations, one must look at Blakeman’s officiating history with the Buffalo Bills.

2019 Wild Card Round: The Bills fell to the Houston Texans in a controversial game that saw multiple questionable calls, including a bizarre overtime blindside block ruling that killed Buffalo’s momentum.
2021 Monday Night Showdown vs. Titans: A critical no-call on a fourth-quarter Josh Allen quarterback sneak led to a heartbreaking Bills loss. McDermott subtly criticized the officiating post-game.
2023 Regular Season Game vs. Chiefs: The game where multiple borderline calls went against Buffalo, including a disputed late-game holding penalty that wiped out a go-ahead touchdown.

A pattern had emerged. Each time Blakeman’s crew took charge of a Buffalo game, crucial decisions tilted against McDermott’s squad. But was it mere coincidence or something deeper?

The Breaking Point: Inside Sources Reveal Explosive Allegations

League insiders suggest that McDermott had access to “unpublished” officiating analytics, indicating a statistically significant bias in Blakeman’s officiating against Buffalo.

A high-ranking team source—who spoke under condition of anonymity—revealed, “McDermott’s been tracking every call for years. There’s an undeniable trend. It wasn’t just a hunch. He had evidence.”

The breaking point reportedly came when McDermott reviewed the referee assignments for the AFC Championship and saw Blakeman’s name.

A source close to the situation stated that McDermott immediately escalated concerns to NFL officials, citing irregularities in past officiating patterns.

The League’s Mysterious Response

The NFL’s response remains shrouded in secrecy. Initially, they defended the selection of Blakeman, citing league-wide integrity standards. However, hours later, the league quietly removed Blakeman from the AFC Championship assignment without issuing a public explanation.

Was this an admission of fault? Or was the league merely looking to avoid a full-blown scandal?

Buffalo Fans React: “We’ve Had Enough”

Bills Mafia, known for their passionate and sometimes extreme support, erupted on social media. Many saw McDermott’s move as long overdue.

Twitter/X user @BillsFan4Life wrote: “McDermott finally stood up for Buffalo. We’re done getting robbed in big games. #NoBlakemanNoCry.”

Another post from user @AFCBiasNoMore: “If the NFL is gonna have refs decide games, at least be honest about it. McDermott just did what every coach should be doing. Protect his team.”

The Future of Officiating in the NFL: A Tipping Point?

The incident raises larger questions about NFL officiating transparency. If a head coach can effectively challenge and remove a referee, what does this mean for the future of officiating credibility?

One league official, speaking off the record, acknowledged that this situation sets a dangerous precedent: “If McDermott can do this, what stops any other coach from removing refs they don’t like? Where does it end?”

On the flip side, others argue that McDermott’s actions could lead to much-needed reforms in the officiating process, ensuring accountability and reducing bias.

What Now?

With the AFC Championship looming, all eyes will be on Buffalo—not just for the game, but for the ripple effects of McDermott’s bold decision.

Will his gamble pay off, leading the Bills to the Super Bowl? Or will the NFL push back, subtly penalizing Buffalo for breaking the unwritten rules of the league’s officiating hierarchy?

One thing is certain: The storm isn’t over yet.