Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Blasts Refs, Says They ‘Wanted’ Jaguars to Win Game

Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was furious with the officiating in Week 8’s loss against the Jaguars, and he ripped into the referees when speaking to reporters after the game.

In Pittsburgh’s locker room following the 20–10 loss, Johnson said that he felt the referees cost the Steelers the game and even that they wanted Jacksonville to win.

“I don’t care what nobody says. They cost us the game,” said Johnson, via Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. 

“They wanted them to win. Everything was in their favor. They were getting every little call. But it is what it is,” Johnson said when asked about an unflagged hit from Jaguars DT Adam Gotsis that resulted in an injury to Kenny Pickett.

Diontae Johnson is NOT happy about the refs pic.twitter.com/s6GgfuHzun

— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) October 29, 2023

Both Pittsburgh and Jacksonville were penalized six times on Sunday, with the Jaguars’ flags costing themselves 20 more yards than the Steelers

The penalties against Pittsburgh were costly, however. At the end of the first half, a successful 55-yard field goal from Chris Boswell was negated by an offsides flag, a call which left Mike Tomlin irate. That moment came not long after Pickett sustained a rib injury on the hit from Gotsis, which was not penalized.

#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin immediately after the offsides penalty on Chris Boswell's 55-yard FG at the end of the half:

"What the f**k is wrong with y'all today? What the f**k is wrong with y'all today?"

Officiating was atrocious. pic.twitter.com/dwSKXVmjZW

— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) October 29, 2023

Johnson didn’t mince words when discussing his opinion of the game’s officiating, calling out the referees for what he felt was an uneven performance.