The NFL is holding its officials accountable.
The league has suspended two officials following separate incidents involving players during Sunday’s Week 4 games.
Line judge Jeff Seeman has been suspended two games, while referee Adrian Hill has been suspended one game for what the NFL described as “an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player.” The suspensions were issued by NFL vice president of officiating Ramon George.
Seeman’s suspension stems from his interaction with Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during Arizona’s loss to the New York Giants.
McBride was upset after Giants defensive back Dru Phillips made contact with him on a third-and-2 play without a pass-interference or illegal-contact penalty being called. Cameras subsequently appeared to capture Seeman directing profanity toward McBride.
The incident quickly drew the attention of NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter, who called the official’s behavior unacceptable and argued that officials should be held to the same standard as players.
“Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed.”
The NFL announced Seeman’s two-game suspension one day after saying it was reviewing the incident.
Hill’s suspension comes from a separate incident during the Miami Dolphins-Minnesota Vikings game.
Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson accidentally collided with Hill after Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II made contact with Wilson during a play that had already been whistled dead.
Hill was knocked to the ground and subsequently appeared to confront Wilson. Wilson attempted to help the referee up before Hill directed him back toward the Vikings’ huddle.
Wilson later downplayed the situation, saying he apologized to Hill and that the referee ultimately understood what had happened.
Despite the different circumstances, the NFL determined that both incidents crossed the line of professional conduct.
The Accountability Question
The suspensions are notable because discipline against NFL officials during the regular season is relatively uncommon.
The NFL’s decision also comes at a time when officiating continues to receive intense scrutiny from players, coaches and fans.
Now, the league has made its position clear:
Players aren’t the only ones expected to control their emotions. Officials are accountable too.
And in this case, the NFL backed that message with suspensions.
Jeff Seeman: 2 games.
Adrian Hill: 1 game.
The question now is whether players, coaches and fans will view that as enough.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Did the NFL get these suspensions right—or should officials face the same level of discipline players receive for similar conduct?
