October 28, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) is restrained by teammates after being ejected from the game for unsportsman like conduct against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE
Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was ejected from last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after getting in the face of an official and jawing at the ref. Because of the incident, Hall likely faces a fine but he is saying that the referee deserve part of the blame as well.
Hall said that head linesman Dana McKenzie was verbally abusing him and that is why the argument between the two got so heated. Hall’s claim is that the camera angle on television made it look like a one-sided argument.
“From that particular camera angle you can’t see what that ref’s saying to me,” Hall said on 106.7 The Fan, via the Washington Post. “So it looks like I’m just out there giving him a piece of my mind and he’s smiling and walks away. And that’s not the case at all. He’s dishing it out just as much as I’m dishing it out.
“It was just a back and forth between me and that particular ref. And I can’t go into too many details because it’s still under review. But that’s kind of how it took place.
“If you look at the TV copy, you can only see me. That’s why we’re trying to get other copies and other angles so you can see both sides. But me and the ref was equally at fault on that particular play.”
Hall also wanted to make it clear that he is not a bad guy, despite the blow up on the field. Perhaps he was hoping that would reduce any punishment from the league office.
“I’m not a criminal. I’ve never been in trouble with the law. I’m a great guy. Like I said, off the field I’m a different person, you know what I mean, than I am on the field,” Hall said.
“We’re just trying to get every point of view, make sure we get as much proof as possible that happened in that situation and bring it to the forefront so we can come up with the right solution handed down to both sides.”
If Hall’s story is accurate, the league should equally discipline both parties involved. It is an ugly look for the league whenever that type of confrontation goes down on the field and it should be avoided at all costs.