NFL investigates referee accused of swearing at Cardinals star Trey McBride

The NFL is reviewing an incident in which veteran line judge Jeff Seeman appeared to swear at Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride during Sunday’s 36-24 defeat to the New York Giants.

Television cameras captured the heated exchange during the fourth quarter, prompting the NFL Players Association to demand that Seeman be held to the same standards applied to players.

Controversial no-call sparks confrontation

The incident happened with just under five minutes remaining and Arizona trailing 27-24.

Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett attempted to find McBride on third-and-two, but Giants cornerback Dru Phillips made contact with the tight end before the ball arrived.

Officials did not call pass interference or illegal contact, forcing Arizona to punt.

McBride approached Seeman to protest the decision. Silent television footage then appeared to show the official directing the same profanity at the player twice.

McBride shook his head and pointed towards a television camera that had captured the confrontation before a Cardinals coach led him away.

NFLPA demands accountability

NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter shared footage of the exchange and described Seeman’s apparent behaviour as unacceptable.

“Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed,” Tretter said. “We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”

CBS sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala said she was standing nearby during the incident. She said McBride was visibly angry but that she did not hear him swear at the official.

According to Kinkhabwala, the strongest comment she heard from McBride was: “You’re ruining the game.”

NFL reviewing incident

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed that the league was looking into the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

The NFL has not announced whether Seeman could face disciplinary action. The NFL Referees Association had also not publicly responded at the time of publication.

McBride did not discuss the incident with reporters following the game.

The Cardinals were unable to recover after the controversial third-down play. New York secured its 36-24 victory when Deonte Banks intercepted Brissett and returned the ball for a touchdown as time expired.