NFLRA calls out players, coaches’ verbal abuse after ‘excessive’ ref suspensions

The NFL Referees Association isn't backing down after the NFL suspended two officials for incidents involving players during Sunday's games.

The league suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games after he was caught on camera appearing to curse at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during the Cardinals' loss to the New York Giants. Referee Adrian Hill was also suspended one game after an incident involving Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson.

Both suspensions were handed down for “unprofessional conduct toward a player.”

The incidents were unusual because they happened within hours of each other. Seeman's interaction with McBride came after the Cardinals tight end was upset over a potential pass interference no-call. Meanwhile, Hill confronted Wilson after the Vikings linebacker accidentally collided with him after being pushed by Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II.

Now, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the NFLRA believes the suspensions were excessive and inconsistent with previous precedent. The officials' union plans to challenge the severity of the discipline and meet with the NFL Officiating Department to discuss how officials are disciplined moving forward. The NFLRA also plans to meet with NFL Players Association leadership to address what it views as increasing confrontation between players and officials.

NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green acknowledged that the officials involved fell short of the professionalism expected from them, but argued that accountability needs to work both ways.

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“Officials are routinely subjected to highly charged interactions and, at times, verbal abuse from players and coaches,” Green said. “While that never excuses misconduct by an official, it shouldn't be dismissed as simply part of the game.”

That is the bigger issue the NFLRA appears determined to address.

The league has made it clear that officials are expected to maintain professionalism, and the NFLRA isn't disputing that standard. However, the union believes players and coaches must also be held accountable when interactions with officials cross the line.

“We will defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent and proportionate,” Green said.

With both the NFLRA and NFLPA now expected to discuss the issue, Sunday's unusual incidents could spark a much larger conversation about how players, coaches and officials interact on the field.