NFL Star Brandin Cooks Blasts League Over Rigging Allegations: “It’s No Different Than Professional Wrestling”
In a bombshell outburst that has sent shockwaves through the sports world, veteran NFL wide receiver Brandin Cooks unleashed a scathing critique of the league’s integrity. “The NFL decides who they want in the Super Bowl. This has been going on for years. It’s no different than professional wrestling,” Cooks angrily declared during a post-game press conference. His comments came amid growing frustration over a delayed investigation into referee misconduct, directly targeting NFL commissioners for what he perceives as systemic manipulation.
The league’s top brass fired back almost immediately, escalating the controversy and igniting a firestorm of debate among fans, players, and analysts.
Cooks’ tirade followed a contentious game between the Dallas Cowboys—where he currently plays—and the Buffalo Bills on January 18, 2026, a matchup that ended in a narrow 24-21 loss for Dallas. The pivotal moment? A disputed catch by Cooks in the fourth quarter that was ruled incomplete despite replay evidence suggesting otherwise. Slow-motion footage showed Cooks securing the ball with both feet in bounds, but officials upheld the on-field call after a lengthy review. This incident echoed a similar controversy from earlier in the season during a Bills-Broncos game, where a comparable ruling drew widespread scrutiny.
Fans on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) erupted, with posts accusing referees of “paid fixes” and drawing parallels to past rigging claims.
The delayed investigation Cooks referenced stems from a league-wide probe launched in late 2025 into allegations of referee misconduct. According to reports, the NFL’s internal review was prompted by a series of questionable calls during the 2025 playoffs, including missed penalties that favored high-market teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Sources close to the matter revealed that at least three officials were under scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest, including ties to sports betting operations.
The investigation, initially promised to conclude by December 2025, dragged into 2026 amid leaks suggesting evidence of “points shaving”—a practice where officials subtly influence game outcomes to align with betting lines. Critics argue this delay allowed the league to protect its image ahead of the lucrative playoff season.
Cooks, a 32-year-old speedster with a career spanning teams like the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and now the Cowboys, didn’t hold back. Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles—where the Cowboys were playing an away game—he elaborated: “I’ve been in this league for over a decade, and I’ve seen it all. Calls that flip games, reviews that ignore the obvious.
It’s not about fair play; it’s about who the suits in the office want to see in Vegas for the Super Bowl.” His comparison to professional wrestling, where outcomes are scripted for entertainment, struck a chord with conspiracy theorists who have long accused the NFL of similar orchestration to boost ratings and revenue.
The NFL commissioners, led by Roger Goodell, responded swiftly via an official statement released just hours later. “Mr. Cooks’ comments are baseless and detrimental to the integrity of our game,” the statement read. “We take allegations of misconduct seriously and are committed to transparency in our ongoing investigations. Any suggestion of predetermination undermines the hard work of our players, coaches, and officials.” However, this rebuttal only fueled the flames. Goodell’s history of handling scandals—from Deflategate in 2015 to more recent player conduct issues—has often been criticized as heavy-handed, and this response was no exception.
Detractors pointed out the irony: the league’s quick defense contrasted sharply with the sluggish pace of the referee probe.
This isn’t the first time the NFL has faced rigging accusations. Dating back to the 1980s, whispers of fixed games have persisted, amplified by the explosion of legal sports betting post-2018’s Supreme Court decision. In 2007, former referee Tim Donaghy was convicted of betting on games he officiated, exposing vulnerabilities in the system. More recently, a 2024 petition demanding a federal investigation into Chiefs games garnered over 50,000 signatures, citing biased officiating that allegedly propelled the team to multiple Super Bowl appearances.
Social media amplifies these claims; one X post from October 2024 declared, “The NFL is 100% rigged, and every referee and team is involved with points shaving for Las Vegas.”
Players have echoed Cooks’ sentiments in subtler ways. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, involved in the controversial Cooks play, tweeted post-game: “Tough loss, but some calls make you wonder.” Former stars like Terrell Owens and Shannon Sharpe have weighed in on podcasts, arguing that the league prioritizes drama over fairness to keep viewers hooked. “It’s entertainment first, sport second,” Sharpe said on his Club Shay Shay show. Fan reactions are divided: die-hard supporters dismiss it as sour grapes, while others boycott games, citing declining trust. A 2025 poll by ESPN showed 42% of viewers believe officiating influences outcomes unfairly.
Analysts point to structural issues exacerbating the problem. With the NFL generating over $15 billion annually, much from broadcasting and betting partnerships, incentives for close, exciting games are high. “The league wants parity to maximize engagement,” says sports economist Dr. Andrew Zimbalist. “But when calls consistently favor certain narratives—like underdog stories or star quarterbacks—it raises red flags.” The 2026 investigation has uncovered emails suggesting referees received “guidance” on emphasizing certain rules, though the NFL denies any impropriety.
As the playoffs approach, the fallout from Cooks’ comments could reshape the league. Potential outcomes include accelerated suspensions for implicated officials, as seen in 2024 when two refs were sidelined for misconduct. Cooks himself faces possible fines or suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, but his stance has garnered support from unions pushing for independent oversight.
In the end, Cooks’ outburst highlights a deeper crisis: can the NFL maintain its status as America’s pastime amid eroding faith? If history is any guide, controversies like this fade, but with betting stakes higher than ever, one whistleblower—as hinted in fan posts—could unravel it all. For now, the drama unfolds off the field, proving that in the NFL, the real game might be in the boardroom.
