Broncos CB Patrick Surtain Says Embattled Teammate 'Racially Profiled' by Refs

Broncos CB Patrick Surtain Defends Teammate Riley Moss

Denver Broncos cornerback and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II has publicly defended his teammate and fellow starting cornerback Riley Moss. The discussion surrounding Moss often touches on race, as he notably became the NFL’s first white starting cornerback in 22 years when he began the 2024 season for the Broncos.

Since earning that spot, Moss has emerged as one of the league’s most promising young defenders. Opposing teams continue to target him heavily in games—not because of poor performance, but largely due to Surtain’s reputation for shutting down opposing receivers. During the 2024 season, the odds of completing a pass against Surtain were statistically lower than throwing the ball away.

Despite Moss’s strong performance, he has received numerous defensive pass interference penalties. Surtain, currently sidelined for three weeks with a pectoral strain, addressed this during a podcast appearance, pushing back against the frequency of the calls.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I think they racial profiling my dog,” Surtain said on the Closed on Sundays With Pat and Terrion podcast alongside Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold. “They calling all these flags on my boy ... I ain’t gonna lie, these flags are egregious. He had a rep against CeeDee Lamb where he played the ball perfectly and still got flagged.”

Context and Performance

Moss’s ability to compete at a high level despite increased scrutiny and heavy targeting has earned him respect within the Broncos organization. Surtain’s defense of Moss adds a new layer to the conversation around racial perceptions in the NFL and officiating consistency.

Author’s Summary

Patrick Surtain II defended teammate Riley Moss, suggesting NFL officials have unfairly targeted him with penalties, raising questions about racial bias in officiating.

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Heavy Sports Heavy Sports — 2025-11-01

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