NFL star jokingly claims referees are racially profiling white teammate amid series of penalties
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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss is one of the NFL’s best at his position, yet he’s been called for defensive pass interference more than anyone in the league this season.
Moss’ teammate, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, believes Moss’ career has something to do with it. Moss is one of the few white cornerbacks in the NFL and Surtain wondered if that has anything to do with the calls.
“Riley balling, bro. I’m not gonna lie. I think they’re racially profiling my dog, man. They’re calling my son all these flags, man. I’m not gonna lie. The flags are atrocious, bro,” Surtain said during a recent episode of “Closed on Sundays with Pat and Terrion.”
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Riley Moss of the Denver Broncos during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on October 26, 2025. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Surtain recalled a recent play from the Broncos’ 44-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys when he thought Moss had been unfairly penalized.
“You don’t understand, bro. He had a rep against CeeDee (Lamb). They ran (a fade route), he was in perfect position, he played the ball, he played his hands. They called a flag on my dog. I’m like, ‘I don’t know what it is. What do they have on him?'” Surtain said.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold asked if Surtain thought Moss was being profiled, and Surtain responded, “Yes, he is being profiled.”
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Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss (21) breaks up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) in the second half in Denver, Colorado, on October 26, 2025. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)
“It has to be, brother. I don’t know what it is.”
Moss has been called for defensive pass interference seven times in eight games this season. The penalty was rejected twice and accepted five times, according to nflpenalties.com.
Moss, 25, is in his third NFL season and will be asked to match up with the opposition’s top wide receiver over the next few weeks after Surtain injured a pectoral muscle. Surtain is expected to miss a few weeks.
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Riley Moss of the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, October 26, 2025. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Moss has nine passes defended and 38 combined tackles for the Broncos (6-2) in eight games this season.
News Digital reached out to the Broncos, the NFL and the NFL referees association for comment on Surtain’s theory.
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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for News Digital.