NFL Referees Association challenges suspensions of two officials

The NFL Referees Association is pushing back on the league's disciplinary ruling against two officials, calling the suspensions handed down after Sunday's games excessive and out of line with past precedent and challenging their severity directly with the league's officiating department.

The suspensions in question hit line judge Jeff Seeman, who drew two games, and referee Adrian Hill, who received one, after the league found they engaged in unprofessional conduct toward players in separate incidents during Week 4. It was a rare move by the league to discipline game officials publicly, and it has now drawn an unusually pointed response from the union that represents them.

Statement from Scott Green, NFLRA Executive Director:

“NFL officials have a responsibility to conduct themselves professionally on the field, and the actions in these incidents fell short of that standard. Accountability matters, but that should not result in discipline that is excessive or inconsistent with established precedent.

“Officials are routinely subjected to highly charged interactions and, at times, verbal abuse from players and coaches. While that never excuses misconduct by an official, it shouldn't be dismissed as simply part of the game. The League expects the highest level of professionalism from its officials, and it should demand the same from everyone on the field.

“We will defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent and proportionate. Holding officials accountable while ignoring or minimizing the conduct directed at them is neither fair nor an effective way to address this issue. We look forward to working with the League and NFLPA toward that shared goal.”

NFLRA executive director Scott Green said accountability matters but insisted the punishment should not be "excessive or inconsistent with established precedent." He also took aim at the conduct officials routinely absorb from players and coaches, arguing the league must hold everyone on the field to the same professional standard. The association said it will meet with the NFL Officiating Department on its disciplinary standards and with NFLPA leadership to address the growing levels of confrontation between players and officials.