The Vikings played arguably their best game of the season on Sunday, piling up 48 points in a win over the NFC East-leading Eagles. But some after-the-whistle activity left a bad taste in the mouth of Minnesota receiver Jerome Simpson.
Simpson told reporters after the 48-30 victory that one of the game officials had some choice words for Vikings players that the wideout did not appreciate.
“There were some questionable things, what the ref also said to a couple of our players,” Simpson said, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I won’t go into that. It was kind of some stuff, controversial things that he said to a couple of our players. … It wasn’t good what he said. But I’ll leave it at that. I’ll let him live.”
Simpson, who said the remarks were not racist, chose not to identify the official in question, saying only that it was the one who called a taunting penalty on him midway through the fourth quarter. Simpson also said that he tried to approach said official after the game but was unable to find him.
“It was definitely nothing that you say, that they should say to our players, what he said,” Simpson said. “I didn’t like it. I wanted to go ask him about it after the game but he took off into the locker room.”
This is the second time an NFL official has been accused of making controversial in-game comments directed at players. Veteran umpire Wayne Ellison was suspended one game in November for a profane statement he allegedly made toward Redskins lineman Trent Williams. Simpson said he does not plan on reporting the incident to the NFL office.
Referee Walt Anderson‘s officiating crew worked Sunday’s game in Minnesota.
Photo via Twitter/@Vikings
