The NFL has handed down discipline to two officials after a pair of odd Week 4 sideline run-ins that drew attention for all the wrong reasons.
According to Adam Schefter, line judge Jeff Seeman received a two-game suspension, while referee Adrian Hill was suspended one game. Both were punished for “an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player.”
Seeman’s issue came during the Cardinals’ matchup against the Giants, when he appeared to get into a heated exchange with tight end Trey McBride. The interaction was caught on camera, with Seeman seemingly shouting, “F- you” at the Cardinals player. McBride then pointed toward the nearby broadcast camera, apparently signaling that the exchange had likely been picked up on mic and video.
After the incident, NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter blasted Seeman’s behavior.
“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable," Tretter said. "Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”
Hill’s situation was different, but it was just as unusual. During the Vikings-Dolphins game, he accidentally ran into Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson. When Wilson tried to help him up, Hill appeared angry and told Wilson to get back to his side of the field.
Wilson later brushed off the moment.
"That was funny, honestly," Wilson told reporters, per ESPN. "I ended up apologizing to him and explained the situation.
He was cool about it. He understood what was going on.
He just said he didn't want us fighting, me and [Gordon]. He said he was just trying to break us up."
Now both officials will miss game assignments after their viral Week 4 exchanges with players.
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