Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill takes shot at Dave Portnoy over fourth down controversy

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill fired back at Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy following the franchise’s victory in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Following one of the more controversial moments of the Chiefs’ victory over the Bills, Portnoy threatened a boycott of the NFL when Buffalo was ruled short on a 4th down conversion attempt. The Barstool Sports personality placed a $1 million wager for the Bills to win the Super Bowl, so he needed Buffalo to win Sunday. Tensions were high.

With the Bills up 22-21, quarterback Josh Allen tried to convert a fourth down play, but was ruled short. And after review, he was still ruled short. However, some believed he got enough for a first down, including the broadcast team on CBS Sports.

In the ensuing moments, the Chiefs promptly marched down the field, and a Patrick Mahomes rushing touchdown gave them the lead at 29-22. While the Bills battled back and tied the game 29-29 after giving up a score, they eventually fell, and many believe the fourth down stop was the turning point of the contest.

Despite the replay confirming the call on the field, Tranquill felt the need to respond to Portnoy on social media: “Should have taken your $1M from #TrumpCoin and taken a nice vacation,” the linebacker clapped back. “He didn’t get it & you know it. Go Chiefs.”

Should have taken your $1M from #TrumpCoin and taken a nice vacation.

He didn’t get it & you know it. #GoChiefs https://t.co/jhwFAaHAd7

— Drue Tranquill (@DTranquill) January 27, 2025

Alas, Portnoy felt like this was the year the Bills get over the hump and win their first Super Bowl. Instead, he got it from all angles on social media, including from the linebacker of the team that ruined his gigantic bet slip.

For years now, the only issue for Buffalo has been facing the reigning, defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion in the Chiefs, as they’ve now lost all four games. That’s a hard pill to swallow for the Bills, and their quarterback in Allen.

“It’s not fun,” Allen said, following the contest. “To be the champs, you gotta beat the champs. And we didn’t do it tonight.”

It’s hard to blame Allen for the loss though, as he threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. In three playoff games this year, Allen threw four touchdown passes and zero interceptions.

Dave Portnoy, the Buffalo Bills and their fans may be salty, but Drue Tranquill and the Kansas City Chiefs get to focus on the Super Bowl now. Time will tell if they’re able to accomplish the first three-peat in NFL history, but they have the best chance of any team we’ve seen yet.

— On3’s Nick Kosko and Brian Jones contributed to this article.