Referees' union contests two Week 4 suspensions as too harsh
The NFL Referees Association is challenging the two-game suspension of line judge Jeff Seeman and the one-game suspension of referee Adrian Hill, calling both excessive.
The NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) is challenging the league's suspensions of line judge Jeff Seeman, for two games, and referee Adrian Hill, for one. Per ESPN, the union said on 6 October that both penalties are excessive and inconsistent with established precedent. Both come from Week 4 games involving players.
Two Week 4 incidents, two different penalties
Seeman's suspension follows the Cardinals' 36-24 loss at the New York Giants on 4 October, according to AP via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. AP reports that with just under five minutes left, Seeman cursed on camera at Arizona tight end Trey McBride, after officials had not called pass interference or illegal contact on Giants defender Dru Phillips. The Giants sealed the game with a Deonte Banks pick-six as time expired, per the same AP report.
Hill's one-game ban comes from the Miami–Minnesota game the same week. Per AP, after Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson tried to help him up following a collision that knocked him over, Hill yelled at Wilson and pointed for him to get away.
Both incidents were verbal, though Hill also pointed Wilson away. The line judge received the longer ban, two games to one.
| Official | Position | Suspension | Week 4 game | Conduct cited (per AP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Seeman | Line judge | Two games | Arizona at New York Giants (Giants won 36-24) | Cursed on camera at Trey McBride |
| Adrian Hill | Referee | One game | Miami–Minnesota | Yelled at Eric Wilson and pointed him away |
What the league and the union are saying
AP reports that Ramon George, the NFL's vice president of officiating, issued both suspensions, which were announced on 5 October. The union's response followed a day later. Its executive director, Scott Green, accepted that officials must answer for their conduct but objected to the size of the penalties, per ESPN:
“Accountability matters, but that should not result in discipline that is excessive or inconsistent with established precedent.”
Per ESPN, Green also said the union will defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent and proportionate. He added that verbal abuse from players and coaches “never excuses misconduct by an official.”
Coaches and the players' union weigh in
Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur told AP: “Obviously, you hate to see it, for obvious reasons.” Of Seeman, LaFleur said, “I know Jeff. He's a good man,” and he asked for some grace for the official.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell played the Hill exchange down. “I think that was just kind of fast moment that happened, and we can put it behind us, hopefully,” he told AP, adding that he rates Hill as a really good official.
The players' side took a harder line. NFLPA executive director JC Tretter told AP: “This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable.” He pointed out that players are held accountable when the roles are reversed.
What comes next
Per ESPN, the NFLRA plans to meet the league's officiating department on disciplinary standards, and NFLPA leadership on on-field conduct and confrontations between players and officials. NBC Sports' ProFootballTalk reports that the collective bargaining agreement's arbitration procedures will govern the final outcome. No result had been reported as of 8 October.