The "Mahomes ref" meme originates from ongoing fan debates about whether Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes receives favorable treatment from NFL referees. This meme gained traction as fans, especially from rival teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, began posting images and GIFs mocking Mahomes for allegedly looking for a flag after every play. A notable instance occurred after the Eagles' comeback win against the Chiefs in November 2023, where fans widely shared memes portraying Mahomes as overly reliant on referees to bail him out ([10 hilarious Patrick Mahomes memes as Eagles fans troll him for looking for a flag after every single play - MEAWW](https://meaww.com/10-hilarious-patrick-mahomes-memes-as-eagles-fans-troll-him-for-looking-for-a-flag-after-every-single-play)). Additionally, a viral video parodying the idea of Mahomes getting referee assistance further fueled the meme. This followed a controversial call during a Chiefs-Bengals game, where a potential interception against Mahomes was negated by a penalty, reigniting claims of referee bias ([Video Hilariously Mocking Patrick Mahomes' So-Called "Referee Help" Has Taken The Internet By Storm, Leaving Fans In Stitches And Sparking A Flurry Of Reactions Across Social Media](https://americanenigmas.com/kieutrang/video-hilariously-mocking-patrick-mahomes-so-called-referee-help-has-taken-the-internet-by-storm-leaving-fans-in-stitches-and-sparking-a-flurry-of-reactions-across-social-media/)). The meme remains popular, especially among fans who believe the Chiefs get preferential calls, with phrases like “Mahomes begging for a flag” and “Refs at Mahomes’ service” frequently appearing in online discussions.