NFL suspends two referees for ‘unprofessional conduct’ toward players

Two NFL officials whose behavior toward players drew scrutiny Sunday have been sidelined by the league.

The NFL on Monday said it has suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games, and referee Adrian Hill for one game, after contentious interactions with players in different games during Week 4.

The suspensions were handed down by the NFL’s vice president of officiating, Ramon George, and each was issued because of “an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player,” the league said.

Representatives for the unions representing NFL players and referees did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride was coming off the field during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants when a sideline camera showed Seeman appearing to use profanity toward McBride.

JC Tretter, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, singled out the play as “unacceptable,” he wrote on X Sunday. “Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”

During the Vikings’ victory against the Dolphins, Hill was knocked over when a first-quarter play was whistled dead but Miami running back Ollie Gordon continued to block Minnesota’s Eric Wilson into Hill. Hill stood up and yelled at Wilson.

After the game, Wilson told reporters that he and Hill had spoken about the exchange.

“I ended up apologizing to him and explained the situation,” Wilson said. “He was cool about it. He understood what was going on. He just said he didn’t want us fighting.”

Seeman has worked as an NFL official since 2002, while Hill started in 2010.