‘Statistically obvious bias' sparks petition to ban referee from Eagles games

PHILADLEPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - Philadelphia Eagles fans are pushing a new petition directed to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that addresses what all fans watching Thursday's matchup against the Carolina Panthers were thinking -- the referees were out for blood. Green blood.

The Change.org petition, which as of writing has collected nearly 40,000 signatures, cites NFL referee Pete Morelli's "clear and statistically obvious bias against the Philadelphia Eagles."

The cry for help came after Thursday's win against the Panthers, during which the Eagles were penalized 10 times for a total of 126 yards. The Panthers only accrued one penalty for a total of one yard.

The petition goes on to say that, over the last four games Morelli has officiated, the Eagles were flagged a total of 40 times for a total of 396 yards, while the Eagles' opponent in those games were flagged only eight times for a total of 74 yards.

"Preventing Morelli from refereeing Eagles games will result in a more trustworthy and honest NFL," the petition states. The end result, the petition suggests, would be an NFL in which conspiracy theories exist at a "normal level."