NFL Referees Association to challenge punishment for Jeff Seeman-Trey McBride incident

NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green said the league’s punishment of line judge Jeff Seeman was “excessive” after the official was caught on camera apparently yelling profanities at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.

The NFL suspended Seeman on Monday for two games for “unprofessional conduct toward a player.” The NFL also suspended referee Adrian Hill for two games for a separate incident that occurred in the Minnesota Vikings-Miami Dolphins game. 

In a statement released to insider Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, among others, Green said he looks forward to working with the NFL and NFL Players Association, as the NFLRA plans to challenge the severity of the punishments.

“NFL officials have a responsibility to conduct themselves professionally on the field, and the actions in these incidents fell short of that standard. Accountability matters, but that should not result in discipline that is excessive or inconsistent with established precedent. Officials are routinely subjected to highly charged interactions and, at times, verbal abuse from players and coaches. While that never excuses misconduct by an official, it shouldn’t be dismissed as simply part of the game. The league expects the highest level of professionalism from its officials, and it should demand the same from everyone on the field. We will defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent and proportionate. Holding officials accountable while ignoring or minimizing the conduct directed at them is neither fair nor an effective way to address this issue. We look forward to working with the league and NFLPA toward that shared goal.”

McBride wanted a pass interference call on a third-down incompletion late in Sunday’s 36-24 loss to the New York Giants. After McBride expressed his displease, the TV camera caught Seeman yelling toward McBride, and the tight end pointed at the camera and smiled.

The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reported that the suspension is without pay.

“Do want to give the man a little bit of grace, too,” Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur told reporters on Monday. “I know Jeff. He’s a good man, so it’s unfortunate it happened. It can’t happen, obviously, and I’ll leave it at that.”

Referee suspensions are generally very rare.

In terms of precedent, the NFL fined and placed referee Roy Ellison on administrative leave for one game in 2018 after he was accused of “directing derogatory language” toward a player. Ellison had been suspended for one game in 2013 for making a “profane and derogatory” statement toward a player.

Related

Is Mike LaFleur ready to make a quarterback change amid 3-game skid?Jayden Williams to slot in as Cardinals’ left tackle with Paris Johnson Jr. out for the yearJeremiyah Love dealing with lingering ankle injury. How extreme is it?What went into Mike LaFleur’s end-of-game play-calling and Jeremiyah Love’s usage?Mike LaFleur gives suspended NFL ref ‘a little bit of grace’ after interaction with Trey McBrideParis Johnson Jr. headed to IR with biceps injury, will miss rest of season