NFL Benches Two Officials After On-Field Run-Ins With Players

The NFL suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during a game.

The league announced the discipline on Monday, Oct. 5, a day after both incidents happened in Week 4 games played Sunday, Oct. 4. Referee Adrian Hill was also suspended for one game for unprofessional conduct with players, according to the league's announcement NFL.

Seeman's confrontation with McBride came with just under five minutes left in Arizona's loss at the New York Giants. It followed a crucial third down that Arizona did not convert after officials did not call a penalty on New York's Dru Phillips. Third down is the offense's last real chance to keep a drive alive, so a non-call there looms large. When McBride questioned it, Seeman appeared to respond with "fuck you," an exchange caught on camera The Guardian.

Arizona punted on the next play. The Giants closed out a 36-24 win from there. McBride did not address the incident in his postgame comments.

The players' union spoke up quickly. NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter called Seeman's behavior toward a player unacceptable. Tretter said players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed, and he expects the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.

Hill's suspension came from a separate game between Miami and Minnesota. After a collision knocked Hill over, Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson tried to help him to his feet. Hill yelled at Wilson and pointed for him to get away.

Neither the coach nor the player pushed the issue. Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell said he had no major concerns about Hill's conduct and described it as a fast, high-energy moment. Wilson said he had no issues with Hill's conduct, apologized to Hill, and said Hill understood what was going on.

The suspensions were issued by Ramon George, the league's vice president of officiating. Punishing an official this way is rare, but there is precedent. Umpire Roy Ellison was fined $9,300 and placed on administrative leave for one game in 2018 after being accused of calling Buffalo defensive end Jerry Hughes by a derogatory term. Ellison was also suspended for one game in 2013 for making a profane and derogatory statement to Washington left tackle Trent Williams.

For fans, this means the standard cuts both ways. Players get flagged and fined for how they talk to officials. In Week 4, two officials will sit out for how they talked to players.