The NFL Referees Association on Tuesday said it will challenge the severity of the suspensions of two officials for unprofessional conduct, which the officials union maintains went beyond appropriate punishment. The league on Monday suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey Mc Bride and referee Adrian Hill for one game for yelling and gesturing at Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson.
"NFL officials have a responsibility to conduct themselves professionally on the field, and the actions in these incidents fell short of that standard," NFLRA executive director Scott Green said in a statement. "Accountability matters, but that should not result in discipline that is excessive or inconsistent with established precedent."
Seeman was caught on camera cursing at Mc Bride during the Cardinals' loss at the New York Giants. Hill yelled at Wilson and pointed for him to get away after the Vikings linebacker tried to help him to his feet after a collision knocked him over.
The NFLRA said it would meet with the league's officiating department to discuss disciplinary standards and with players' union leadership to address on-field conduct and the growing levels of confrontations between players and officials.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing