On Monday, NFL Vice President of Officiating Ramon George issued a two-game suspension for line judge Jeff Seeman and a one-game suspension for referee Adrian Hill due to "unprofessional conduct toward a player" during Sunday's Week 4 games. A video went viral on social media that appeared to show Seeman jawing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride after he complained about being hit. Hill challenged Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson after Wilson was blocked into Hill by Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II.
On Tuesday, the NFL Referees Association issued a statement suggesting the league went too far by issuing the two suspensions. Per Tom Pelissero of Netflix, NFLRA will challenge the gravity of the suspensions and plan to meet with the NFL Officiating Department to get on the same page regarding disciplinary standards. More news: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More news: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts In the statement, NFLRA executive director Scott Green admitted the "incidents" regarding Hill and Seeman fell short of expectations officials have to act professionally on the field.
Still, Green argued the punishments do not match precedent. "While that never excuses misconduct by an official, it shouldn't be dismissed as simply part of the game. "The League expects the highest level of professionalism from its officials, and it should demand the same from everyone on the field.
We will defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent, and proportionate. Holding officials accountable while ignoring or minimizing the conduct directed at them is neither fair nor an effective way to address this issue." The incidents regarding Hill and Seeman were not the only confrontations on Sunday. New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for allegedly yelling a profanity at an official.
The league doesn't appear ready to suspend Vrabel. For more on the Vikings and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
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