Referee suspended for comments made to Trent Williams

The NFL Referees Association denounced the one-game suspension announced by the league for umpire Roy Ellison as an unfair penalty that creates a double standard for on-field conduct. In a statement released on Friday, the NFLRA said that an immediate grievance against the league will be filed on behalf of Ellison:

While nowhere in the statement are the actions of Ellison denied, the NFLRA criticized the league for a double standard that has created a “culture where players, coaches and teams can use racial slurs and profanity toward each other and at officials.”

The NFLRA is challenging the suspension.

On Thursday, former-Redskins offensive lineman and chairman of the Fritz Pollard Association, John Wooten, claims Ellison was provoked by comments made by Williams. According to Wooten, Williams should have been the subject of a personal foul penalty after directing a racial slur at Ellison, although Williams denies the claim.

Williams claimed after the game that Ellison used derogatory language, calling Williams a “garbage a** disrespectful mother f*****.” John Wooten, chairman at the Fritz Pollard Association, claimed after the game that Williams uttered a racial slur at Ellison to provoke Ellison’s colorful language.

Wooten said that Ellison should have penalized or ejected Williams instead of retaliating.

Mike Pereira, the former vice president of officiating and current rules analyst for FOX Sports, said Ellison was accused of swearing at a player when Pereira was the VP of officiating. Pereira, who made the claim during an episode of Fox Football Daily, said there was no proof and instead it was a he said, she said situation.

The NFL could have proof this time around, as Pereira said the offensive linemen were wearing microphones and there is a chance the league could have audio of the alleged incident. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported NFL security is looking into the claims. Pereira called a suspension “likely” if the NFL is able to prove Williams’ claims.

When asked about what guidelines governed ref/player interactions, NFL Public Relations spokesman Greg Aiello simply replied, “professional.”

Williams, who plays offensive tackle for the Redskins, claims umpire Roy Ellison called him a “fat a**” during the course of the game. Williams was livid in the postgame locker room, regerring to Ellion as a “garbage a** disrespectful mother f***.”

The team is not taking it very well.

Williams told Dianna Russini of Washington DC’s NBC 4 that the officials were calling the Redskins players names and that reading their lips in the game film would prove it.