Patrick Mahomes refused to become ensnared by the baiting line of questioning from a reporter during Super Bowl week.

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to their fifth Super Bowl in six years on Sunday with a chance at a historic three-peat on the line when they face the Philadelphia Eagles down in New Orleans.

However, the dominance Patrick Mahomes and Co. has sparked conspiracy theories in recent weeks, with some NFL fans suggesting they had a helping hand from the league’s officials.

While speculation has swirled on social media, one reporter took it a step further during Monday’s Super Bowl LIX Opening Night. 

One reporter at the media availability session inside Caesars Superdome tried to trigger a reaction from Mahomes when he asked the quarterback a bizarre question about the ‘rigged’ theories.

The unidentified reporter could be heard asking Mahomes: ‘For your whole career, you have had so many great people help you win, so who is your favorite ref?’

Patrick Mahomes refused to become ensnared by the questioning during Super Bowl week

 

The Chiefs signal caller was not amused as he appeared slightly taken aback before refusing to take the bait.

‘That’s hilarious,’ Mahomes said with a deadpan look as he slightly shook his head in disbelief.

‘No, all the refs are great. All the refs are great. They do the best they can, go out there and play the game the right way.’

But the reporter didn’t relent. He further attempted to get a rise out of the three-time Super Bowl winner by shocking asking him if he’d ever sent a Christmas card to an official.

But Mahomes, refusing to become riled, kept composed and offered a perfect answer once again as he quipped: ‘Not that I can remember. I’ll talk to some of my teammates to figure it out.’

While Mahomes navigated the audacious line of questioning well, NFL fans on social media were furious on his behalf.

‘Pretty much a dirtbag move from the reporter in my opinion, have the Chiefs had the benefit of controversial calls over the years go their way, yes they have but the other teams need to make sure they crush them on the field so there’s no doubt,’ one social media user hit out.

Another slammed: ‘This is just classless by that reporter. Hey guy it’s not open mic at the comedy club!!’

The NFL has been accused of being rigged after the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl yet again

‘Welp, that reporters about to lose his job,’ a third joked.

Others commended Mahomes for his composed handling of the situation

‘He’s a good sport,’ one fan praised. ‘I don’t doubt that Chiefs get some oddly timed calls but let’s not act like Mahomes is paying them to make the calls or some shit.’

‘He handles that pretty well could have been way worse,’ another said as a third echoed: ‘Kinda funny but he handled it well.’

Earlier in the day, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had been put on the spot over the ‘rigged’ conspiracies.

‘This reminds me a little bit of the script – that I write a script for the entire season, right?’ he began.

‘A lot of those theories that are things that happen on social media and they get a lot of life. I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion. And it’s also a reminder for us how important officiating is. I I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding. They have the highest possible standards.’

‘That’s a ridiculous theory — for anyone who might take it seriously,’ he continued. ‘But at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on: How do we make our officiating better?’

Many NFL fans took to social media to slam the questions as ‘classless’

Goodell was further quizzed on the league’s standards of officiating as he was asked how the NFL ensures there is no bias during on-field decisions.

‘I can’t tell you all the things that happen behind [the scenes], but our officials are evaluated in several ways,’ Goodell said. ‘

‘It’s not just the things that go on the field, but things that go on in their own lives. We have very tight controls over that and monitor it very closely in several ways.

‘These officials are outstanding people. It’s a tough job. A really hard job. Half the group sees it one way and half the group sees it the other way. But I’ve never seen a group of people more dedicated to getting it right than our NFL officials.’