The NFL Referees Association believes the league is being over-officious when it comes to the discipline imposed on a pair of officials.
Referee Adrian Hill (pictured) was suspended one game for his interaction with Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson. Line judge Jeff Seeman was suspended two games for the comments he made to Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the union representing the NFL’s game officials said this: “The NFL Referees Association believes the suspensions imposed by the NFL on two officials following incidents this past weekend were excessive and inconsistent with past precedent. Given these concerns, the NFLRA will challenge the severity of those suspensions and meet with the NFL Officiating Department to discuss the League’s disciplinary standards. The association also plans to meet with NFL Players Association leadership to address on-field conduct and the growing levels of confrontation between players and officials.”
The statement also included a quote from NFLRA executive director Scott Green.
“NFL officials have a responsibility to conduct themselves professionally on the field, and the actions in these incidents fell short of that standard,” Green said. “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.”
Ultimately, it’s a labor-management issue. The league has created a workplace precedent over the years when it comes to discipline. The NFLRA will argue that the punishment exceeds the established pattern and practice. And the arbitration procedures in the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFLRA will drive the final analysis.