The NFL suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games and referee Adrian Hill for one game Monday for unprofessional conduct toward players during Week 4, the first suspensions of officials for conduct toward players in recent years.
The incidents that led to the suspensions
Seeman was caught on camera using profanity directed at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. The confrontation occurred with just under five minutes remaining after officials did not call pass interference or illegal contact on Giants cornerback Dru Phillips, who made contact with McBride before the ball arrived on a third-and-2 play. The Cardinals punted, and the Giants won 36-24.
Adrian Hill, the crew chief in Minnesota, was involved in an altercation with Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson during the first quarter of the Dolphins-Vikings game. The play had been whistled dead for a neutral zone infraction on Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner. Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon kept blocking Wilson after the whistle, which sent Wilson into Hill and knocked the official down. Hill was seen yelling at Wilson and pointing for him to move away from the area.
The Players Association’s response
NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter called Seeman’s behavior “unacceptable,” according to ESPN and Fox Sports. Tretter, a retired offensive lineman who played eight seasons, pointed out the disparity in how the league holds officials and players accountable. “Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed,” Tretter said on social media. “We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”
The punishments underscore ongoing scrutiny of official conduct on the field. While players face fines and suspensions for outbursts toward officials, similar behavior from officials has drawn less formal discipline historically.
How the players reacted
Wilson took a measured approach to his interaction with Hill. “That was funny, honestly,” Wilson told reporters in the Vikings locker room. “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.”
McBride laughed when he realized a camera had captured Seeman’s words and immediately pointed the official out to nearby broadcast cameras.
What’s next
Seeman will miss the next two games on the officiating schedule. Hill is suspended for his next assignment. Both officials will be eligible to return following their respective suspensions.
Reporting from ESPN, FOX Sports, Yahoo Sports and Sporting News contributed to this story.
