Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was visibly frustrated during his team’s Week 7 defeat to the Detroit Lions and made his feelings known to referee John Hussey late in the 24-9 loss.
Mayfield confessed he was angry about several officiating decisions, including one where he believed the Lions should have been penalized for holding, and another where a replay review that initially upheld a Buccaneers first down was overturned and ruled short.
“A third down defensive holding call that wasn’t called, and also I’m still pretty damn confused about the double review,” Mayfield said after the game. “A lot of things in that game that were a little questionable.
“A lot of frustration at the end of that. It might be displaced onto John Hussey in the moment, but I work my ass off and I put a lot into this game, so when things I don’t seem are deemed fair, I’m gonna let somebody know.”
Another source of irritation for Mayfield came when he was obviously tripped by Lions defensive lineman Tyrus Wheat. The quarterback, who remains among early MVP candidates through seven weeks, was seen shouting at Hussey after the missed call that might have given the Buccaneers a crucial first down.
Numerous players have previously been fined for harsh remarks toward officiating, but even after his on-field confrontation and postgame criticism of the referees, Mayfield avoided any punishment from the NFL for his behavior.
