NFL Suspends Referee Shawn Hochuli and Crew Pending Investigation Into Alleged Betting Scandal Linked to Steelers-Packers and Bills-Patriots Game
PITTSBURGH, PA — The NFL has reportedly suspended referee Shawn Hochuli and his officiating crew following growing allegations of potential betting activity and integrity violations connected to multiple games they officiated this season — including last week’s controversial matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.
According to league sources, the suspension follows an internal integrity review after “irregular betting patterns” and “officiating inconsistencies” were flagged in several Hochuli-officiated games. The most recent incident — a highly disputed Week 8 contest in Pittsburgh — reignited league-wide outrage when multiple missed calls appeared to directly impact the game’s outcome.
Among the most criticized moments were three major officiating errors:
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A clear offsides by Packers defenders on a 3rd-and-8 play went uncalled.
A blatant push-off by TE Tucker Kraft on Steelers safety DeShon Elliott led to a 59-yard completion and Elliott’s serious knee injury.
And a botched fumble call against RB Jaylen Warren, which was only overturned after a rushed booth review.
The NFL’s Integrity Department confirmed that Hochuli and his crew are now under formal investigation, with assistance from an independent compliance firm. A league spokesperson stated:
“The NFL maintains zero tolerance for conduct that could compromise the integrity of our games. Pending review, all members of this officiating crew have been removed from active assignments.”
Hochuli, one of the league’s most recognizable referees, has long been criticized for inconsistent and excessive penalty calls. Statistics show his crews rank among the top five in total flags thrown annually — and in several cases, these matches have coincided with suspicious betting movements against the spread.
Adding to the scrutiny, investigators are also reviewing Hochuli’s Week 5 game between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, which turned chaotic with over 20 penalties called — 11 of them against Buffalo. Fans and analysts accused Hochuli’s crew of targeting the Bills with questionable calls, including multiple holding and roughness flags that directly led to Patriots scoring drives.
That matchup, like the Steelers-Packers game, displayed an alarming pattern of officiating imbalance that heavily favored one side. League insiders confirmed that both games are being reviewed together for potential links in betting-related activity or external influence.
Former NFL coach Bruce Arians commented on the situation, saying:
“This league’s credibility is built on fairness. When referees start making decisions that change outcomes, and money’s involved, that’s a line you can’t cross.”
For now, Shawn Hochuli’s entire crew has been indefinitely suspended, and the NFL’s investigation is expected to conclude within the next two weeks. Until then, the league is facing mounting pressure to ensure the integrity of officiating — and the trust of millions of fans who feel the game’s fairness may be at stake.
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