Emotions ran high during Week 4 of the NFL season on Sunday, Oct. 4.
That includes players, coaches, broadcasters and even, referees? The cameras are always rolling and that was no different in the final minutes of the Arizona Cardinals' loss to the New York Giants. Trying to engineer a game-winning or tying drive, Jacoby Brissett tossed a pass in the direction of Trey McBride.
The pass fell incomplete, but McBride and the Cardinals were incensed that no flag landed on the turf at MetLife Stadium for pass interference against Dru Phillips.
The Cardinals punted the ball away, but McBride had some words for the line judge, Jeff Seeman, on the sideline, who also had some of his own to share with the star tight end. Take a look:
The NFL said it is reviewing
the situation in which an official appears to use profanity at Cardinals TE Trey McBride. The NFLPA Executive Director JC Tretter called for the NFL to hold the official accountable. pic.twitter.com/NuueChAmrx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 4, 2026
It quickly gained traction on social media, which also got the attention of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) executive director, JC Tretter.
"This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable," Tretter posted on X. "Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard."
The NFL is reviewing the incident.
"We are looking into the matter," the NFL told USA TODAY Sports.
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel draw a 15-yard flag for unsportsmanlike conduct during his team's game against the Buffalo Bills earlier in the day.
Bill Vinovich, who was the referee in the Patriots game, explained to the pool report why he the coach was flagged.
"He was out of the box, came up to the official and said, 'That was a (expletive) terrible call,'" Vinovich said, via ESPN's Mike Reiss.
While both of those incidents took place in the early window, there was some drama in the late window as well. Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson collided with referee Adrian Hill, knocking the official down. When Wilson offered to help Hill up, the referee had a strong reaction.
NFL referee Adrian Hill had a strong reaction when Vikings LB Eric Wilson offered to help him up after their inadvertent collision. (📺 FOX) pic.twitter.com/azDgsIZESY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2026
All of this comes on the heels of a difficult conclusion to Week 4 for the referees, who were in the spotlight after a botched pass interference penalty on "Sunday Night Football," that led to a win for the Denver Broncos. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said theleague informed him that the call was wrong, bringing the issue back into focus.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL says it's reviewing referee incident after viral video, NFLPA complaint
