Legendary Commentator Pat McAfee Speaks Out To Defend Bears Live On ESPN, Accusing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Of "Rigging The Outcome" After 49ers' Controversial Win Over Bears

Chicago, Illinois – December 29, 2025

The fallout from the Chicago Bears’ controversial loss to the San Francisco 49ers did not end with the final whistle. It quickly spilled onto national television, where legendary commentator Pat McAfee delivered a fiery on-air response that turned one NFL game into a broader debate about trust and competitive fairness across the league.

Appearing live on ESPN, McAfee did not shy away from revisiting a series of pivotal officiating decisions that consistently went against Chicago. In his view, the issue wasn’t a single missed call, but a repeating pattern — moments that defined the game seemingly breaking one way, while obvious situations were ignored.

“I’ve stood up for this league for years, and I don’t say that lightly,” McAfee said on air. “But when decisive moments keep tilting to one side, when clear mistakes are brushed aside again and again, you can’t just keep looking the other way. At that point, the question isn’t who won or lost — it’s whether we’re still watching a fair football game, or a script being written in front of millions of people.”

The remarks ignited an immediate backlash — and support. Bears fans embraced McAfee’s words as validation of their frustration, while critics argued he crossed a line by questioning the league’s integrity. McAfee pushed back on that notion, insisting his comments were not an attack on players or coaches, but a challenge to the consistency and accountability of game management.

Chicago had stretches of control, but disputed penalties repeatedly stalled momentum and extended drives for San Francisco. In a game where every snap mattered, those decisions carried outsized weight — and amplified the sense of injustice.

Notably, McAfee framed the issue as larger than one team or one night. He warned that when fans begin to doubt fairness, the league risks losing its most valuable currency: trust.

As of publication, neither the NFL nor Roger Goodell has issued a public response. Historically, the league has rejected any suggestion of manipulated outcomes, pointing to officiating evaluations and internal reviews. But the silence has only fueled further debate.

The Bears may have lost on the scoreboard, but McAfee’s comments ensured the conversation didn’t end there. Instead, the game became another flashpoint in the NFL’s ongoing struggle with officiating scrutiny, transparency, and credibility.

And as those questions continue to linger, one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding this matchup is far from over.