Super Bowl Champion Tony Dungy Criticizes NFL Officials Over Pass Interference Calls

NEW YORK — Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy publicly expressed his frustration with the inconsistency of pass interference penalties called by NFL officials during the 2025 season, particularly citing the Thanksgiving Day games. According to Dungy, the discrepancies in officiating have made it appear as though officials do not have a clear understanding of what constitutes pass interference.

Dungy shared his views on social media, stating, “When you watch NFL football all day long you just come to the conclusion our officials don’t know what pass interference is.” He noted that efforts to make pass interference reviewable a few years ago did not resolve the issue, and that the penalties, which can be significant yardage losses, are not applied consistently.

Responding to a social media comment suggesting his complaints were merely “cheap seats kind of gripes,” Dungy clarified that his observations were based on watching multiple games where defensive backs and wide receivers made contact on numerous plays without consistent penalty calls. “Anybody who watched the games would say the same thing,” he added.

The debate over pass interference calls has extended beyond social media, reaching broadcast commentators and former NFL coaches. Tony Romo and Cris Collinsworth have also voiced criticism of the officiating this year. Former coach Jon Gruden previously advocated for adopting college football’s pass interference rules, arguing that the current NFL calls are too subjective and that penalties should only be enforced when infractions are clear and obvious.

Dungy’s comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of NFL officiating throughout the 2025 season, with pass interference calls being a frequent point of contention among players, coaches, analysts, and fans alike.