Umpire Roy Ellison has been suspended for Sunday’s action, and he has filed an appeal.
As explained by Mark Maske of the Washington Post, the appeal hearing won’t happen before Sunday, which means that Ellison won’t work this week.
Ellison was suspended for using derogatory language toward Redskins tackle Trent Williams. Williams claims that Ellison called Williams a “garbage-ass, disrespectful mutherf--ker.” The NFL Referees Association contends that Ellison’s comments were provoked by Williams saying, “F--k you” to Ellison, along with the “N” word.
As Peter King of TheMMQB.com explained on Friday night’s edition of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN, umpire Rich Hall will replace Ellison. Hall works on the crew led by Ed Hochuli, which is off this week.
While the appeal process may be futile, given that Commissioner Roger Goodell has the final say, why not let Ellison work until the decision is final? There’s no reason to rush to impose a suspension that may be overturned, especially when Ellison can always be suspended for a game later in the regular season.
Sure, Ellison will get paid for the game if he wins the appeal. Why not let him get paid to work until the process if final?