Vikings CB Pokes Fun at ‘NFL Is Rigged’ Buzz

NFL officials fired up some questionable calls in the AFC and NFC Championships last weekend, so naturally, the sport must be rigged, right?

That was all the buzz following the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs victories on Championship Sunday because — of course, it was.

Vikings CB Pokes Fun at ‘NFL Is Rigged’ Buzz

Then on Tuesday, former NFLer Arian Foster flung fresh meat in the lion’s den, claiming the NFL is indeed rigged and that players are given ‘scripts’ to fulfill. Foster told the Macrodosing podcast, “That’s what practice was about — it was about practicing the script; it’s like WWF — we know what’s going to happen, but you’ve still got to put on a show.”

Here’s the video:

Thereafter, oodles of players and fans piled on by poking fun at Foster’s comments because, well, the theory is ludicrous. And Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan chimed in, too.

Vikings CB Pokes Fun
Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) catches a pass originally ruled as a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chandon Sullivan (39) defends. Instant replay would overturn the call and rule the play an incompletion during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Sullivan tweeted Thursday, “My Touchdowns That Was Robbed Against The Colts Was From My Script! 😂😂😂.”

The Vikings slot corner was referring to a Week 15 game where he notched two would-be touchdowns, but referees blew the whistle prematurely, disqualifying the scores from even being reviewed.

Here’s the first one:

And No. 2:

So, yes, we kid you not — and Sullivan kids you not — neither touchdown was allowed.

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Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Greg Joseph (1) celebrates his game-winning field goal against the Indianapolis Colts after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

In the end, officials nullifying Sullivan’s touchdowns “didn’t matter” because the Vikings still orchestrated the largest comeback in NFL history, circumventing a 33-0 deficit at halftime to beat the Colts, 39-36. But the comeback would’ve been markedly accelerated and perhaps less suspenseful if the referees rightfully allowed Sullivan’s touchdowns.

Understandably frustrated, Sullivan tweeted after the Colts game, “I’m So Glad We Won, But NFL I Need A Real Explanation. I Got Robbed Twice Of Touchdowns In Critical Points Of The Game!”

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Green Bay Packers defensive back Chandon Sullivan (39) defense a pass against Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith (84) during the fourth quarter of their game Monday, December 23, 2019, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. The Green Bay Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings 23-10. © Mark Hoffman, Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal S, Packers News via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

The Vikings and their fans are also in an awkward spot with the “NFL is rigged” hullabaloo. Why? If the sport is rigged, scriptwriters have been incredibly rude to the Vikings in the last 62 years. Minnesota is the league’s third-best franchise per regular season win percentage in the Super Bowl era, but the Vikings have yet to win a Super Bowl. That’s awful scriptwriting.

Sullivan becomes a free agent in March.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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