NFL line judge Jeff Seeman did not take kindly to Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride protesting a no-call during the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Giants on Sunday, October 4.
CBS cameras caught the pair exchanging words during the 36-24 New York win, with Seeman appearing to say “f*** you” to McBride, 26, multiple times.
Their argument originated after Seeman declined to call pass interference on the Giants’ Dru Phillips. Phillips, 24, had made contact with McBride as he was pursuing a pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
During the incident, McBride appeared to notice the cameras aimed directly at him and Seeman, as he pointed and laughed. McBride finished the game with seven receptions for 31 yards, both season lows after four games.
CBS sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala was standing near the two when the argument happened. She took to X after the game to express her confusion over what exactly went down.
“I was standing right there,” she wrote. “What’s wild is that it all started with Trey McBride saying ‘please’ when pleading his case for a PI flag. He was heated for sure, but I never heard a curse from him. The harshest he got was, ‘You’re ruining the game.’”
ESPN reported that the NFL was reviewing the incident on Monday, October 5, and that afternoon, Ian Rapoport revealed via X that Seeman has been suspended for two games.
NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter shared his thoughts on Sunday night, laying into Seeman for his apparent tirade.
“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable,” he wrote via X. “Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard.”
The NFL Referees Association did not immediately respond to ESPN’s request for comment.
Seeman has been calling NFL games since 2002. He is the son of Jerry Seeman, who spent 16 years as an NFL referee before becoming the NFL’s senior director of officiating.
Ironically, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was penalized during New England’s game on Sunday, playing out at the same time as Giants-Cardinals. He exchanged words with an official after an incomplete pass from Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen. The 15-yard penalty he incurred resulted in a Buffalo first down.
Vrabel, 51, downplayed the interaction to reporters after the game.
“I’ve said that 87 times since I’ve been a head coach,” he said. “There’s nothing derogatory. You know, you’d have to ask him. I think he was a little sensitive. … I probably shouldn’t have sworn, but I can tell you that in my history of being on the sidelines as a head coach, I’ve said that, and I apologized to him.”
