The NFL said it is investigating an exchange between an official and Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride during Sunday’s 36-24 win over the New York Giants, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
NFLPA Executive Director JC Tretter publicly demanded accountability following the incident.
“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable,” Tretter said on social media. “Players are routinely held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standards.”
Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports noted that McBride was polite at the beginning of the exchange, even using the word “please.”
It was one of several interactions between an official and a player or coach that came under scrutiny Sunday.
Referee Adrian Hill was clearly angry with Eric Wilson after the Minnesota Vikings linebacker inadvertently knocked him down.
And Mike Vrabel was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for using colorful language, a decision that surprised him.
“I told him it was a terrible call, I won’t say effing,” Vrabel told reporters. “I’ve said that 87 times since I’ve been head coach. It wasn’t anything derogatory. You’d have to ask him. I think he was being a little sensitive.”
The relationship between officials, players and coaches is always a little tense. But on Sunday, the situation seemed even more confrontational than usual.
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