NFL Suspends Official for Swearing at Player

The National Football League (NFL) has suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games after he was caught on camera appearing to swear at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

The incident occurred during the Cardinals’ 36-24 defeat to the Giants, with Seeman appearing to direct an F-bomb at McBride during an exchange on the field.

The NFL Players Association had called for disciplinary action following the incident, with its chief, JC Tretter, describing the official’s conduct as unacceptable.

Tretter said players are routinely disciplined when they behave similarly towards officials and argued that referees should be held to the same standard.

“This kind of behaviour from an official towards a player is unacceptable,” Tretter said in a social media post above a video of the incident.

“Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”

The NFL later confirmed that Seeman’s suspension was for “unprofessional conduct toward a player.”

The league also handed referee Adrian Hill a one-game suspension over his conduct during the Minnesota Vikings’ game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Hill appeared to react angrily after Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson inadvertently knocked him to the ground. Wilson had collided with Miami running back Ollie Gordon before making contact with the referee.

Wilson subsequently attempted to help Hill back to his feet and later played down the incident after the game.

He described the moment as funny and said he apologised to Hill, explained what had happened and found the official receptive to the explanation.