NFL reviews referee's profanity toward Cardinals tight end Trey McBride

Mixed · 2Video from Sunday's game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants appears to show an NFL official swearing at Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. 1 2 Left · 1NBC News reported that the interaction came in the fourth quarter, as McBride was coming off the field during the Cardinals' loss at the Giants, and identified the official as line judge Jeff Seeman, who has worked as an NFL official since 2002. 2 Centre · 1Newsweek quoted the official as yelling "F--- you. F--- you" at McBride after a play; it described him only as "one ref". 1

Left · 1An NFL spokesman told NBC News on Sunday that the league was reviewing the matter. The spokesperson did not answer whether the league has specific rules governing officials' conduct toward players. 2 Left · 1JC Tretter, executive director of the NFL Players Association, wrote on X that such behavior from an official toward a player is unacceptable. He said players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed and that the union expects the NFL to hold officials to the same standard. 2 Left · 1League rules treat it as unsportsmanlike conduct when players use "abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League." 2

Centre · 1Fans on social media called for the official to be fined, suspended or fired, many arguing that a player who swore at a referee would likely be flagged and fined. Newsweek, however, judged it unlikely that the official would be punished, and said the NFL might address the issue in a statement on Monday. 1 Centre · 1Newsweek placed the incident within wider criticism of NFL officiating in the 2026 season, including claims that some players, such as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, get preferential treatment. Some fan comments it quoted tied the incident to sports betting. 1