The Cardinals’ Week 4 loss to the Giants was already ugly enough. Then came the moment that turned the focus from the scoreboard to the officiating crew.
Arizona fell 36-24 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday after a last-second Giants pick-six, but the play that grabbed the most attention involved tight end Trey McBride and a sideline official in the second half. A viral X video showed an NFL referee delivering a NSFW message in McBride’s direction, and the 26-year-old appeared stunned by the exchange. Arizona staff stepped in and held McBride back on the sideline as the camera moved away.
The words “fk you, fk you” were allegedly yelled toward the 2022 second-round pick. The bizarre scene came in the fourth quarter around the same time McBride was tripped up in coverage, though no penalty was called.
The clip landed in the middle of a strange stretch for NFL officials. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson also drew attention after taking a death stare from referee Adrian Hill during the Vikings’ home game against the Miami Dolphins, after Wilson accidentally ran into him.
McBride’s case stands out even more because of his usual profile. The former All-Pro is rarely involved in controversy, which made the interaction look even more out of place.
On the field, it was also a quiet afternoon for McBride. He finished with 31 yards on seven catches, his least productive game of the season.
Arizona now turns to a home game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Oct. 11, before a Week 6 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.
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