The NFL suspended two officials for unprofessional conduct toward players, drawing an immediate challenge from the referees union.
Line judge Jeff Seeman received a two-game suspension and referee Adrian Hill a one-game suspension, the league announced Monday. Ramon George, the NFL's vice president of officiating, cited "an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player" for each penalty.
Seeman's suspension followed an incident during Sunday's Arizona Cardinals-New York Giants game. A sideline camera captured Seeman appearing to use profanity toward Cardinals tight end Trey McBride in the fourth quarter as McBride left the field.
Hill's suspension resulted from an exchange during the Minnesota Vikings' victory over the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter. Miami running back Ollie Gordon blocked Minnesota's Eric Wilson into Hill, knocking the referee over after a play was whistled dead. Hill subsequently yelled at Wilson. Wilson told reporters afterward that he apologized and explained the situation, and Hill "just said he didn't want us fighting."
The NFL Referees Association said it would challenge the suspensions as "excessive and inconsistent with past precedent." Scott Green, the NFLRA executive director, said the union would "defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent and proportionate," adding that holding officials accountable while minimizing conduct directed at them is not effective.
JC Tretter, executive director of the NFL Players Association, called Seeman's actions "unacceptable" Sunday and said players face consistent accountability while the NFL should apply the same standard to officials.
The NFLRA plans to meet with NFL Players Association leaders to address on-field conduct and confrontations between players and officials. Seeman has served as an NFL official since 2002. Hill began his career in 2010.
