Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss has drawn a lot of attention this season, not just for his playing, but also for the number of penalties called against him. Teammate Patrick Surtain II, who was named the best defensive player last year, has suggested that the frequent flags might be due to Moss being one of the few white cornerbacks in the league.
During a recent podcast appearance, Surtain shared his thoughts, saying that Moss is playing very well, and the penalties seem unfair. He specifically mentioned a play during a game against the Dallas Cowboys where Moss was guarding CeeDee Lamb. Surtain felt Moss was in the right position and played the ball well, yet a penalty was still called.
Another player, Terrion Arnold from the Detroit Lions, asked Surtain if he thought Moss was being unfairly singled out. Surtain agreed, saying he couldn’t understand why the calls were being made.
According to public records, Moss has been penalized for defensive pass interference seven times in eight games this season. While two of these penalties were declined, five were accepted, giving the opposing team an advantage.
Moss is currently in his third year in the NFL. With Surtain expected to be out for a few weeks due to a strained muscle, Moss will have an even bigger role in guarding the other team’s best receivers.
So far this season, Moss has defended nine passes and made 38 tackles in the eight games he’s played. The Broncos currently have a record of six wins and two losses.
The Broncos organization, the NFL, and the NFL referee association were contacted for their comments on Surtain’s suggestion, but there has been no response.
The question of whether the penalties against Moss are justified remains a topic of debate among players and fans alike. Some believe that the calls are simply part of the game, while others share Surtain’s concern that something else might be at play. Only time will tell if the penalty calls against Moss will decrease or continue at the current rate.
