The AFC Championship game is set to kick off, and a familiar face will be overseeing the action on the field. Shawn Smith, the head referee for the highly anticipated matchup, hails from Missouri, adding a touch of local pride to the proceedings.
Smith’s connection to the Show-Me State undoubtedly brings a sense of excitement for football fans across the region. His journey from Missouri to the pinnacle of NFL officiating is a testament to his dedication and expertise.
As the coin toss took place, the Buffalo Bills emerged victorious, electing to defer their choice of possession to the second half. This strategic decision will see the Kansas City Chiefs receive the opening kickoff and have the first opportunity to establish their offensive rhythm.
The stage is now set for a thrilling showdown between two of the AFC’s elite teams. With a Missouri native at the helm of officiating, the game promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for football enthusiasts across the state and beyond.
The NFL’s refereeing assignments have been set for the conference championship games, and the Kansas City Chiefs know who will be making the calls at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday evening.
When the Chiefs face off with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game, the head referee will be Clete Blakeman, while Shawn Hochuli will referee the NFC championship game.
Blakeman’s 2024–25 crew includes Scott Campbell, Dana McKenzie, Julian Mapp, Karina Tovar, James Coleman, Jonah Monroe, Chad Adams and Amber Cornell, according to dailysportingnews.
As noted by Mike Sando of The Athletic, Mahomes is 6-5 in games officiated by Blakeman and his crew. When evaluating Mahomes’s record by referee (an already-questionable exercise), Mahomes has his second-worst record with Blakeman at the helm. (Mahomes is 4-4 in games officiated by Brad Allen.)
Still, plenty of social media users were sure that Blakeman’s appointment would lead to certain success for Kansas City.
With those reactions in mind, Sando also shared another noteworthy detail as the refereeing discourse seeps deeper and deeper into NFL conversations.
“Forget the conspiracy theories,” Sando wrote. “NFL officials have assessed 47 penalties against the Chiefs in the fourth quarters and overtimes of one-score games over the past two seasons, including playoffs. Those same officials have assessed 48 penalties against the Chiefs’ opponents in those same critical situations. The yardage totals are similarly close: 307 yards against the Chiefs, compared to 340 yards against their opponents.”
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