"They get to shake hands with Patrick Mahomes": Adam Thielen slams "fanboy" referees as Vikings WR calls for full-time officials

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings - Source: Imagn
"They get to shake hands with Patrick Mahomes": Adam Thielen slams "fanboy" referees as Vikings WR calls for full-time officials (Credit: IMAGN)

Minnesota Vikings veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen didn't mince words when describing NFL referees. The two-time Pro Bowler was visibly upset during his team's 27-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10 of the 2025 NFL season after being called for an illegal blindside block.

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Five days later, Thielen went on the record to express his frustration with NFL officials. The former Carolina Panthers wide receiver appeared on KFAN's "Power Trip Morning Show," where he criticized referees for not fully understanding the rule.

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He also referred to some officials as "fanboys," suggesting that the league should have full-time referees officiate games.

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"I think we need to have full time referees. I think it's ridiculous that we have — and no offense to these guys, I mean, they obviously love their job, and they put a lot of time into it, I know they do," Thielen said. "But it's like, we have these guys that are kind of fanboys a little bit.
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"Like, they love the fact that they get to go out there and they get to shake hands with Patrick Mahomes. They get to hang out with these professional athletes. Then they go to their real job on Monday through Friday, and tell everybody how cool their side job is."
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Adam Thielen isn't the first player to push for this change. However, the league has not reached an agreement with officials, who often hold other jobs that provide more security than a position constantly under the public spotlight.

Adam Thielen, Vikings prepare to face Chicago Bears for the second time this season

Adam Thielen and the Minnesota Vikings will host the Chicago Bears in what should be an entertaining NFC North division matchup. The teams first clashed in the season opener, with the Vikings pulling off an 11-point comeback (17-6 in the third quarter) to beat the Bears 27-20.

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Thielen had his second-best performance of the season in the loss to the Ravens, being targeted three times and catching two passes for 16 yards. Minnesota struggled against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens and will look to bounce back against a Bears team that looks different from the one they faced in Week 1.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Vikings Nation! Check out the latest Minnesota Vikings Schedule and dive into the Vikings Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Orlando Silva
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