NFL reviewing official's profanity toward Cardinals TE Trey McBride
In short
The NFL said it is reviewing an interaction in which line judge Jeff Seeman appeared to use profanity toward Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during the Cardinals' loss at the New York Giants on Sunday. NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter called the behavior unacceptable and said officials should be held to the same standard as players. Newsweek reported that fans on social media called for the official to be fined, suspended or fired.
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The NFL said it is reviewing an interaction between line judge Jeff Seeman and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride after a sideline camera appeared to show the official using profanity toward the player during the Cardinals' loss at the New York Giants on Sunday. An NFL spokesman told NBC News the league was reviewing the matter, and a league spokesman told OutKick: “We are looking into the matter.” [ 4 , 5 ]
NBC News reported that McBride was coming off the field in the fourth quarter when the camera showed Seeman appearing to use profanity at him. Fox News reported that Seeman was seen saying something along the Cardinals sideline that looked to include an expletive, used twice consecutively. Newsweek reported that videos emerged of one referee shouting obscenities at McBride. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter wrote on X: “This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable. Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.” [ 4 , 5 ]
NBC News reported that under league rules it is unsportsmanlike conduct for players to use “abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.” An NFL spokesperson did not reply to an NBC News request for comment on whether the league has specific rules governing officials' conduct toward players. [ 4 ]
Fox News reported unconfirmed accounts that McBride yelled at officials after disagreeing with a call, though it said it is unclear what he said. Fox News added that whatever McBride may have said, the response from officiating is normally to throw a penalty flag rather than use an epithet. NBC News reported that Seeman has been an NFL official since 2002; Fox News reported he is the son of former NFL supervisor of officials Jerry Seeman. [ 4 , 5 ]
Newsweek reported that fans flooded comment sections with calls for the official to be punished, with many arguing that McBride would have been penalised or fined had the roles been reversed. Newsweek quoted one fan writing: “NFL needs to penalize that ref if he is going to penalize players for unsportsmanlike stuff against him.” Newsweek said it is unlikely the referee will be punished for his behaviour toward McBride. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The review centers on how the league treats officials' conduct compared with players', a point the players' union raised publicly. How the NFL handles the matter will be read as an indication of whether officials face the same accountability that players do under league rules.
Key facts
- The NFL is reviewing an interaction between line judge Jeff Seeman and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during Sunday's game at the New York Giants. [ 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- A sideline camera showed Seeman appearing to use profanity toward McBride in the fourth quarter as McBride came off the field. [ 4 , 5 ]
- NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter wrote that the behavior was unacceptable and that officials should be held to the same standard as players. [ 4 , 5 ]
- A league spokesman told OutKick: “We are looking into the matter.” [ 5 ]
- Seeman has been an NFL official since 2002 and is the son of former NFL supervisor of officials Jerry Seeman. [ 4 , 5 ]
- The Cardinals lost the game to the Giants. [ 4 ]
- Under league rules, players using abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures toward opponents, teammates, officials or league representatives is unsportsmanlike conduct. [ 4 ]
- Fans on social media called for the official to be penalized, suspended or fired. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The NFL is reviewing the interaction between an official and Trey McBride. [ 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Line judge Jeff Seeman appeared to use profanity toward McBride during the game. [ 4 , 5 ]
- NFLPA executive director JC Tretter said the behavior was unacceptable and called for officials to be held to the same standard as players. [ 4 , 5 ]
- The Cardinals lost the game at the New York Giants. [ 1 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether McBride said anything to officials before the exchange Fox News cites “unconfirmed accounts” that McBride yelled at officials after disagreeing with a call and says it is unclear what he said; no other document addresses it.
- Whether the league has specific rules governing officials' conduct toward players NBC News reported that an NFL spokesperson did not reply to its request for comment on the question.
- What, if anything, the review will lead to No document reports a decision or discipline; Newsweek said it is unlikely the official will be punished.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsweek publishes fan reaction to video of a referee shouting obscenities at Trey McBride, with commenters calling for the official to be fined, suspended or fired. [ 1 ]
- NBC News reports the NFL is reviewing the interaction and that NFLPA executive director JC Tretter criticised the official's conduct. [ 4 ]
- Fox News reports a league spokesman said “We are looking into the matter” and names line judge Jeff Seeman. [ 5 ]
- Newsweek reports the NFL is investigating the official. [ 7 ]