Broncos' Patrick Surtain II Takes Out Patrick Mahomes, Refs Over Controversial Play

The Kansas City Chiefs handled the Houston Texans to advance to their seventh consecutive AFC championship game on Saturday, Jan 18 -- but it wouldn't be a Chiefs' victory in an important game if it wasn't flavored with at least a sprinkle of controversy. 

That controversy arrived during the third quarter when the Chiefs were driving and quarterback Patrick Mahomes slid as two Texans defenders closed in to make the tackle. 

Each player made minor contact with Mahomes' helmet as the play concluded, at which point Mahomes tossed up his hands and the officials' flags flew. The reaction was overwhelming on social media almost immediately, though one of the most prominent voices to comment belonged to Denver Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II. 

"C'mon man, what we supposed to do when he sliding?" Surtain posted. 

Bleacher Report reposted his comment on Instagram, which had nearly 100,000 views after just an hour. 

But Surtain's commentary fell on deaf ears, as did the protests from the Texans' sideline. The referees called a personal foul on Houston and awarded Kansas City 15 yards and an automatic first down via a penalty. 

Surtain's criticism is particularly poignant as he plays for the Broncos, the Chiefs' AFC West Division rival who also made the playoffs and squares off against Kansas City twice each regular season.