Jeff Seeman
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; NFL line judge Jeff Seeman (45) looks on during the first half of a game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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During Sunday’s game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, cameras caught an official yelling a rather explicit phrase toward Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. The incident quickly went viral on social media, and it is now sparking widespread outrage after the way the official conducted himself toward the player.
In response to the incident, the NFL Players Association has issued a statement, and the official involved has received some strong pushback from former players and media throughout the league.
‘Unacceptable’
During Sunday’s game, cameras caught veteran line judge Jeff Seeman engaging in what seemed to be a bit of a shouting match with McBride. As the two traded words, even a novice lip reader could pick out a phrase that Seeman shouted at McBride twice.
McBride clearly took notice as the camera also caught him looking up incredulously as a coach tried to pull him away from the incident.
In a statement shared on social media, NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter called Seeman’s behavior “unacceptable.”
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. https://t.co/vawHA8Jrlt
— JC Tretter (@JCTretter) October 4, 2026
“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,” wrote NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter in a statement on X.
‘The league has to address it’
The incident quickly went viral on social media, generating millions of views and attracting a lot of criticism toward the official.
“There are too many cameras around today’s games. They’ll finally catch the bad ones,” wrote former NFL player Jerry Hughes Jr.
“NFLPA executive director JC Tretter elevating this moment in this way, and issuing this statement, will make certain that the league has to address it,” wrote Mike Leslie of WFAA in Dallas.
“They should be held to a much higher standard,” wrote longtime NFL scout Greg Gabriel.
“An absolutely embarrassing week for the officials,” wrote Dick Fain of 93.3 KJR in Seattle.
“If a player did this it would be what, a fine of $20 grand? $30 grand?” wrote Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports.
“I was standing right there. 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,'” wrote Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports.
We’ll have to see whether or not Seeman faces any punishment.
Line judge Jeff Seeman
Line judge Jeff Seeman
College football
College football
Bryce Young
Bryce Young