The NFL has suspended two officials for separate incidents involving players during Week 4, sending a clear message that league officials are also expected to maintain professional conduct on the field.
Line judge Jeff Seeman has been suspended for two games, while referee Adrian Hill received a one-game suspension. The penalties were issued by NFL vice president of officiating Ramon George.
Jeff Seeman Suspended Two Games
Seeman's suspension followed an incident involving Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during the team's 36-24 loss to the New York Giants.
With just under five minutes remaining, McBride was involved in a third-and-2 play where Giants cornerback Andru Phillips made contact with him before the ball arrived. No pass-interference penalty was called.
McBride subsequently confronted Seeman about the decision. Video footage appeared to show the line judge directing profanity at the Cardinals tight end.
The incident drew criticism from JC Tretter, executive director of the NFL Players Association, who said officials should be held to the same standards as players.
The NFL subsequently suspended Seeman for two games for what it described as an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player.
Adrian Hill Receives One-Game Suspension
Hill's suspension came after an incident during the Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings game.
During a play that had been stopped by a penalty, Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II continued blocking and inadvertently drove Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson into Hill, knocking the referee to the ground.
After getting up, Hill appeared to yell at Wilson and gesture for him to return to his team's huddle. Wilson later explained that he had attempted to help Hill up and said the two subsequently spoke about what happened.
Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell described the exchange as something that happened during a high-energy moment and said he had no major concerns about Hill's performance as an official.
NFL Holds Officials Accountable
The suspensions come after a Week 4 slate that featured several heated exchanges between players, coaches and officials.
The NFL's decision also follows renewed discussion about whether officials should face the same level of accountability as players when their conduct crosses the line.
For Seeman, the two-game suspension is the more severe penalty because the incident involved profanity directed at a player. Hill's one-game suspension followed a physical collision and subsequent reaction toward Wilson.
Both officials are now set to miss games as punishment for their respective conduct.
