Today I went to watch the NFL Finals at Levi’s Stadium, and it was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. It’s a shame to see the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl this way…

In the aftermath of Super Bowl LX, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026, an unexpected voice has emerged to cast a shadow over the celebration. Scott Dixon, the legendary IndyCar driver from Chip Ganassi Racing and a six-time IndyCar Series champion known for his precision on the track and measured demeanor off it, attended the game live as a spectator. What he witnessed left him so disillusioned that he publicly declared the experience one of the greatest regrets of his life.

Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Dixon did not hold back in his assessment of the contest. “Today I went to watch the NFL Finals at Levi’s Stadium, and it was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made,” he said in a statement that quickly circulated across social media and sports outlets. “It’s a shame to see the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl this way.

I feel like I wasted my time being there.” The racing icon, who has no direct ties to either franchise but has occasionally expressed interest in American football as a fan of high-stakes competition, went further by labeling the game “shameful” and accusing the officiating crew of consistent favoritism toward the Seahawks.

Dixon’s comments stunned many in the sports world, given his reputation for staying above controversy and focusing on his own craft in open-wheel racing. Yet his frustration centered squarely on what he perceived as a pattern of unfair calls that tilted the playing field against the Patriots throughout the evening. The game itself was a defensive masterclass dominated by Seattle’s top-ranked unit under coordinator Mike Macdonald.

The Seahawks sacked Patriots quarterback Drake Maye six times, forced three turnovers—including a late pick-six by Uchenna Nwosu—and held New England to just 13 points, with no offensive touchdowns until garbage time in the fourth quarter. Kenneth Walker III earned Super Bowl MVP honors for his contributions on the ground, while special teams players like Jason Myers and punter Michael Dickson provided field-position advantages that proved decisive.

But for Dixon, the final score masked deeper issues. He highlighted three specific incidents that, in his view, exemplified how the referees handed Seattle an unearned edge. The first came early in the second quarter when a questionable pass interference call on a New England defensive back extended a Seahawks drive that resulted in a field goal. Dixon argued the contact was minimal and incidental, typical of physical coverage that often goes uncalled. “It was soft—really soft,” he noted. “You see that kind of bump all the time without flags.

That changed momentum when the Patriots were starting to settle in.”

The second incident Dixon pointed to occurred late in the third quarter. With the game still within reach at 16-10 Seattle, a holding penalty against the Patriots’ offensive line nullified a big gain on a running play. Replays suggested the grip was brief and released quickly, but the flag stood after review. Dixon claimed this call killed a potential scoring opportunity for New England and allowed Seattle to maintain control. “They were driving, had a chance to tie or take the lead, and boom—one phantom hold wipes it out,” he said.

“It felt like the zebras were protecting the Seahawks’ lead at all costs.”

The third and most egregious example, according to Dixon, unfolded in the fourth quarter as the Patriots mounted a desperate comeback attempt. A defensive holding call on a third-down incompletion gave Seattle a fresh set of downs, effectively sealing the game. Dixon described it as “another gift,” insisting the contact was arm-bar rather than a full hold and that similar plays had gone unflagged against Seattle’s defense all night. These moments, he insisted, collectively robbed the game of its integrity and turned what could have been a hard-fought battle into a lopsided affair decided by stripes rather than skill.

Dixon’s outburst resonated with a segment of fans who have long grumbled about NFL officiating in high-profile games. While the Seahawks’ victory was built on elite defense—holding Maye under pressure and limiting explosive plays—the narrative of referee influence has persisted in certain circles. Social media lit up with debates, some defending the calls as accurate under the rulebook, others echoing Dixon’s sentiment that the crew, led by referee Shawn Smith, showed bias toward the team that entered as favorites.

For his part, Dixon emphasized that his disappointment stemmed not from any allegiance to the Patriots but from a broader sense of fairness. As someone who competes in a sport where split-second decisions and marginal penalties can decide races, he drew parallels to his own world. “In racing, you earn every inch,” he explained. “When you see something handed over like that on the biggest stage, it’s hard to watch. I went expecting an epic showdown between two strong teams, and instead I saw one side get protected. That’s not what championship football should be.”

The Seahawks, now champions for the second time in franchise history—avenging their heartbreaking loss to New England in Super Bowl XLIX over a decade ago—have largely dismissed the criticism. Players and coaches celebrated the win as validation of their dominant season, crediting preparation and execution rather than any external help. Head coach Mike Macdonald praised his unit’s ability to “snuff out” threats, while quarterback Sam Darnold reflected on the journey to redemption.

Yet Dixon’s words have sparked wider conversation about officiating standards in the NFL, especially in the playoffs and Super Bowl where scrutiny is intense. Whether his critique gains traction or fades amid the confetti remains to be seen, but for one night at Levi’s Stadium, the racing legend’s presence turned into a vocal reminder that even neutral observers can leave feeling cheated by the game they love.

In the end, Super Bowl LX delivered a decisive result, but for Scott Dixon, it delivered something else entirely: profound regret. The thrill of live sports gave way to disillusionment, and his candid take has left an unexpected asterisk on Seattle’s triumphant return to glory.