The NFL is reviewing an incident from Sunday’s Cardinals-Giants game after line judge Jeff Seeman appeared to direct profanity at Arizona tight end Trey McBride during a tense exchange in the second half.
The moment came after officials passed on a flag for contact on McBride during a third-down pass. McBride showed his frustration, and Seeman responded in a way that viewers and lip readers widely took as an expletive. McBride then pointed toward a nearby camera, seeming to recognize the exchange had been caught on video.
The NFL Players Association moved quickly to call it out. Executive director JC Tretter said the official’s conduct crossed a line and pointed to the standard players are held to in similar situations.
“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable. Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”
An NFL spokesperson confirmed the league is looking into the matter. The NFL Referees Association has not publicly responded.
The clip spread quickly online after the broadcast and fan-shot video surfaced, with attention centering on the two-word message aimed at McBride. The camera angle left little doubt that the exchange had been recorded, turning what might have been a routine sideline flare-up into a league matter.
McBride finished with seven catches for 31 yards on 12 targets. Arizona fell to 1-3 with the 36-24 loss, while New York moved to 3-1.
The disputed non-call came on a third-and-2 play involving contact from Giants defender Dru Phillips. Officials rarely end up at the center of the story for language aimed at a player, but this one has already moved beyond a typical sideline argument. With the NFLPA pressing for the same accountability players face, the league’s review now carries real attention as it moves forward.
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