NFL Reviewing Referee Seen Cursing at Cardinals’ Trey McBride

The NFL said Sunday night it is reviewing an incident in which a line judge appeared to curse at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during the team’s loss to the New York Giants.

Line judge Jeff Seeman was caught on the broadcast seemingly yelling an expletive at McBride as the two argued over a call. McBride, visibly frustrated, appeared to notice a camera positioned behind the official and pointed toward it, suggesting he realized the exchange had been captured on television.

Footage circulating online showed the official appearing to shout “F*** YOU. F*** YOU.” at McBride, who laughed once he seemed to register that the moment had been filmed.

NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter condemned the official’s conduct in a statement posted to social media.

“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.”

The episode has prompted questions about whether the league will discipline Seeman if the review confirms he directed the comments at McBride.

Other officiating flashpoints

The McBride incident was one of several officiating controversies from the same day’s slate of games. In the Vikings-Dolphins matchup, referee Adrian Hill reacted sharply after Minnesota linebacker Eric Wilson was shoved into him and knocked down. Hill got back up and yelled at Wilson, even though the Vikings player appeared to be trying to help him to his feet.

Separately, during New England’s win over Buffalo, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for telling an official, “that’s a terrible f-ing call.”

Speaking to reporters afterward, Vrabel downplayed the remark, according to Boston.com.

“I’ve said that about 87 times since I’ve been a head coach. It was nothing derogatory. You’d have to ask him, I think he was a little sensitive. Once I get the word from upstairs that it wasn’t what we felt like was a good call, which I’m going to trust [Patriots VP of football operations and strategy John Streicher] with my life. I probably shouldn’t have swore, but I can tell you in my history of being on the sidelines as a head coach, I’ve said that.”