Few stories stir up as much drama as the relationship between coaches, officials, and the ever-important flag. While fans might think all referees are simply doing their best, behind-the-scenes interactions can sometimes be a bit more, let’s just say, theatrical. Enter Mike Pereira peeling back the curtain on some fascinating insider details. He recently shared his account of how an assistant coach once betrayed her boss to keep him calm.

Some workplace tricks go unnoticed for years. But Linda O’Hara’s sly moves finally came to light. It turns out the then-assistant to former Lions DA John Fox had an unusual method for managing her boss’s temper. What was it? Let’s just say it involved a few misdialed calls and a whole lot of clever thinking. Former NFL official Mike Pereira spilled the beans during The Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday. Pereira is the league’s former head of officiating and revealed how O’Hara played a pivotal role in avoiding explosive Monday morning calls from Fox after tough on-field decisions.

She’d fake-dial Pereira’s number and pretend he wasn’t available. And that bought her (and Pereira) time for Fox to cool down. “She’d call a phony number and then go, ‘Oh well, he’s not in yet. When do you expect him? He should be in by noon! Okay well, would you have him call at noon?’ By then, John would settled down,” Pereira recalled the hilarious act.

O’Hara’s strategy wasn’t just a masterclass in handling a tough boss, it highlighted her ingenuity in diffusing conflict. “Linda O’Hara, love you, wherever you are now. She would create a buffer zone,” Pereira quipped. This may seem like harmless office mischief but it sure played a vital role in navigating a high-stress NFL environment.

This quirky story raises questions about how tensions get managed in the high-pressure world of NFL coaching. But there’s more to the tale than just a few dodged phone calls.

Controversial calls vs. Texans: Pereira weighs in

O’Hara’s story isn’t the only officiating related headline connected to Mike Pereira. In a separate discussion, he addressed fans accusing the NFL of favoring star players like Patrick Mahomes. Specifically, two penalties in the Chiefs vs. Texans game sparked outrage.

Officials flagged Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. for a roughing-the-passer penalty on Mahomes during a critical drive. Fans and commentators, including Troy Aikman and Joe Buck, called it soft. “He’s a runner, and I could not disagree with that one more,” Aikman said. “He barely gets hit. That’s the second penalty now that’s been called against the Texans.” Pereira also agreed. “Both of those [penalties] in my opinion should’ve been passed on,” he said.

“I understand why they were called because we are in a time of protection of quarterbacks and pretty much everybody,” Pereira added. However, Texans fans were furious. Anderson himself remarked, “[We] knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game.” The calls kept a Chiefs drive alive. And it helped them secure a playoff win. However, Pereira dismissed conspiracy theories.

He acknowledged that officiating mistakes are inevitable. “Until you actually put the uniform on, and until you have to make those quick judgments … if you haven’t done it, and you don’t recognize how hard it is in real time and how easy it is in super slow motion, then get out of my train. Get off my train, I mean it,” he noted.

Pereira’s comments might not soothe upset Texans fans. But they highlight a broader debate about officiating consistency in the NFL. The league continues to face scrutiny, especially when questionable calls decide crucial games.

Be it Linda O’Hara’s resourcefulness or the drama surrounding penalty decisions. These stories underline the human element in football. Behind every call, whether on the field or in the office, lies a story of strategy, emotion, and sometimes, a bit of chaos.