Joe Thomas Calls for Referee's Retirement After Controversial Holding Call on Browns
Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas criticized a holding call made against James Hudson during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Thomas, who was commentating on the game, expressed his frustration with the call, calling it "criminal" and suggesting that the referee should retire. Upon reviewing the play, Thomas believed that Hudson's block was clean and that the Eagles lineman had simply fallen to the ground. Hudson, a fourth-round pick by the Browns in 2021, was penalized despite the clean block. The game ended in an 18-18 tie.