ESPN repots:
Referee Jeff Triplette’s crew, which worked the Seahawks–Panthers game last week, repeatedly warned players about profanities directed at each other and even flagged the Seattle’s K.J. Wright for mouthing a loud obscenity at a Carolina player.
Technically, it was a taunting penalty, but the NFL Competition Committee recommended emphasis on such verbal abuse.
League VP of officiating Dean Blandino conceded Saturday to ESPN that officials want to curtail “actions [verbal or otherwise] directed at an opponent.”
Put me in the camp that thinks NFL officials have more important issues to worry about during a game than this.