Logo

Micah Parsons Calls Out Referees' Double Standards After TNF Holding Call

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Green Bay defeated Cincinnati 27-18.

The Green Bay Packers are obviously thrilled with the hot start to the season by top pass rusher Micah Parsons. Their star acquisition before the season has worked out perfectly for them so far, as he has looked like arguably the best defender in the league through the first six weeks. Yet, both the Packers and Parsons believe there could be another level for him if he were officiated fairly.

During Thursday Night Football, Parsons' frustrations hit another level during the fourth quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones was called for a holding penalty (h/t @TedBuddy8) on Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy. Parsons was quick to point out the inconsistency, taking to X to post "Lol they just hate uno," referring to the NFL officials and himself, respectively.

Micah Parsons Continues to Blast Referees After TNF Holding Call

The 26-year-old is right in pointing out the double standard. In the fourth quarter of Week 6, Bengals LT Orlando Brown Jr. essentially tackled Parsons to the ground without a flag. In quarterback Joe Flacco's 46 dropbacks, the Bengals were not called for a single holding penalty. Against a Packers team that has Parsons and generates a ton of QB pressure, that is hard to believe.

This has been a major talking point for Parsons and the Packers all week. The former Cowboys star addressed this in his remarks to the press on Thursday, saying, "Five years of not getting a call, you eventually stop worrying about it... They want to load the points up so fans can be happy. They’ll call defensive holding, but they won’t call offensive holding."

Even though Parsons said that he stopped worrying about it, that is obviously not the case. He has been complaining about the same thing when he was in Dallas, and that hasn't changed since arriving in Titletown.

Unfortunately, that is the life of a physically dominant pass rusher. When dealing with a physically overwhelming player like Parsons, referees aren't going to call holding every time there is a brief holding. Referees also don't want to call offensive holding as much for obvious reasons.

Head coach Matt LaFleur also talked about this discrepancy in officiating on Thursday, suggesting that they may be sending tape to the league office and have a conversation before the game about uncalled holding penalties. Whether any of this has any impact in Week 7, positive or negative, remains to be seen.

Panthers Legend Furious, Calls for Team to Reclaim His Rights Because NFL is So Unfair!
Can you believe it? Cam Newton, the immortal icon of the Carolina Panthers, is absolutely raging! Overnight, the bombshell from Philip Rivers has pushed the 2015 MVP legend to speak out, accusing the NFL of playing "double standards" and urging his old team, the Panthers, to stand up and demand justice for him! Imagine this: Philip Rivers, the 44 year old veteran who's been retired for a full 5 years, suddenly signs a contract to return with the Indianapolis Colts after Daniel Jones' horrific injury (torn Achilles). This isn't Hollywood fiction, it's a shocking NFL reality! Rivers, once a "family member" of the Colts, is welcomed back like a hero, while Cam Newton, the guy who led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50 and still has a burning passion, is tossed aside like yesterday's trash. In the latest episode of his podcast 4th and 1 (released on 12/10/2025), Newton couldn't hold back anymore. He roared: "Did Philip Rivers send any signals that he's ready? I haven't and won't retire! For an opportunity like this! I don't care if he's 'family' to them. He's 44, bro! Why do you hold Cam Newton to sky high standards that you don't apply to everyone else?" Newton's words are like a punch straight to the NFL's face! He feels this is a "slap in the face" to his illustrious career, from being the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, to 2015 MVP, to being "discarded" after the 2021 season. Newton has never officially retired, and now he's calling on the Panthers, the team that was once his home, to take action! "Demand my rights back! The NFL is unfair, and Panthers fans deserve a legend's return!", That's the implicit message Newton is sending, shattering the hearts of millions of fans. Cam Says CALL HIM After Rivers Returns, Shedeur DISRESPECT Continues & Richard Sherman WRONGNew episode of 4th&1 out now!📺: https://t.co/hdru5DuZV7 pic.twitter.com/or8TykRhYd — 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) December 10, 2025 Remember? Newton returned to the Panthers in 2021 as a PR stunt, but the terrible head coach Matt Rhule ruined it all. Rhule blamed Newton, firing offensive coordinator Joe Brady right after Brady spent the entire bye week working with him. The result? Newton failed, and the NFL turned its back. Now, with Rivers being "resurrected" at 44, Newton sees the bias clearly: "Connections" and "family ties" are the key, not talent! Panthers fans are boiling over! They've idolized Newton from day one, and now this story is like a tragedy: Their hero forgotten, while "old man" Rivers gets a golden chance. Newton still has the passion, still wants to play, so why not give him a shot? Is this the moment the Panthers rise up and push the NFL to reconsider? Or will we see Newton explode even more on media?