Stokley ejection
 

During the Denver game today, Stokley was ejected for contacting an official while arguing about what he thought should have been a pass interference call. Personally, as a Bronco fan, I thought it was a good flag. My question is, is the ejection automatic with any sort of contact?

The contact was, essentially, on the BJ's outstretched fingers as Stokley threw his arms in frustration while he turned to walk away. Personally, I think the ejection was good even if some discretion is allowed in this case, but i was just wondering if the NFL views this as judgment free.

Intentionally contacting an official is an ejection under all codes, I believe. He'll get a fine on Tuesday also. My only question would be was it intentional?

Based on the replay, I do not think there was anything but intent on Stokely's part. I will also not be surprised if the league does suspend Stokely for the next week's game.

The player is already pushing the acceptable behavior envelope by arguing the call so demonstratively. Making contact with the official in this context I believe goes over the line, regardless of whether or not it was intentional. The onus was on the player to control his actions.

The ejection is a good call IMO.

I seem to recall an incident earlier in the year when a player did something similar amd was not ejected but the League essentially chastised the crew for not booting him

You runs that far to yell and gesture at an official and you takes your chances. Just sayin'.

Looks intentional to me.

YouTube - Brandon Stokley Ejected For slapping Ref .. Broncos vs. Eagles

Stokely running 30 yds to argue with me would draw a flag immediately from me (even before he said a word). How about you?

This is not baseball, softball, or basketball. No flag for that.

Agreed. Coulda, shoulda been 2 USCs for 30 yards. I've never seen that in the NFL however.

Most every game you can see a player or coach vent their frustration at what they believe to be a bad call - you see them leap into the air, jump up and down, pound the ground, throw their hands in the air in exasperation, wag their fingers, etc. and NOTHING happens in the way of a penalty as they are far enough from an official that it is “ignored.”

To intentionally go toward and official and do it that close – you get what you earned.

NFHS- Absolutely
NCAA- Most likely
NFL- Maybe not

Maybe not in the NFL. On Friday nights, though, absolutely.

It baffles me as to how contact with an official such at this, which we can all argue weather it was intentional or not, deems immediate ejection. However actions in the past few weeks in the NFC East Primtime games between the Giants/Eagles and Giants/Redskins where there were fights and only 1 ejection and 0 suspensions. I agree 100% that Stokely diserved the USC flag, weather or not the call was missed on the holding/PI on the play prior.

When there is a mess of players and lots of activity going on it's entirely possible for one of the officials to not see a specific punch. Kind of hard for him to miss direct contact with his own body with only one player involved in the middle of the field. That doesn't excuse any missed punches in the games you mention but it may help you understand it.

How anyone could argue that it was not intentional is beyond me.
The BJ was pointing (I would assume telling him to go to his sideline) and the player slapped the BJs hand - very similar to how my 3 year old does when I tell her to do something she doesn't like.

That phase of life, where a daughter will quietly accept being told to do something she doesn't like, usually ends at about 3 yrs old. Good luck.

He charged the official...you can't imagine what came out of his mouth, then waved his hand contacting the official...this is an EJ. Good Call.

Charging the official like that should have been 1 flag. Contacting him would have been the 2nd. Player is ejected and both 15 yarders marked off.

Contacting an official like that after running 30+ yards is an EJ in any league.

He slapped at the hand. No brainer ejection.

Its one thing to get a bit close, lose your balance or accidentally brush an official, but this was contact that was intentional. Even if he didn't actually intend to make contact with the official, he fully intended to make the slap.

I get bumped all the time working the middle. I'd like to think none of them were on purpose.

They probably weren't, but sometimes...
Ends of last season there was a video posted for a high school game where a safety went FAR out of his way to tackle the U in the back during one of the last plays of the game (he was upset that their team didn't get into a playoff or something and wanted to take it out on the crew).

And that is the problem with football officiating (mentality) if you ask me.

I am sure that is the case as I get bumped sometimes. But I do not have players running several yards at me to argue a call either.

Peace

I agree with the UNS and the EJ. But I wonder about the no-DPI call. It looks like a classic hook and turn. I can't tell if pass was uncatchable. Did Stokely have a point?

Getting "bumped" is an inherent part of the job of Umpire and goes with the territoty. Knowing the difference between getting "bumped" and being "hit" is an absolutel necessity. It's the same difference between being bumped and being assaulted.

Considering all levels of football, getting ejected from an NFL game is probably the most difficult environment to be disqualified from. Despite the reluctance to disqualify NFL players, this instance was a no-brainer.

Clearly Intentional
 

When a player runs 30 yards to confront an official, any contact that occurs from that point, to me, should be ruled intentional. Good call on the ejection.