- NFL referee Alex Kemp has gone viral for his conversation with Geno Smith
- The meeting took place during the Seattle Seahawks’ game against the Detroit Lions
- The Seattle Seahawks would get their first win of the season
An NFL referee has gone viral for his hilarious interaction with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during their game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Seahawks found themselves in the showdown with the Lions after their opening loss to the LA Rams.
In the fourth quarter of the matchup against the Lions, Smith was called for an intentional grounding after throwing the ball outside.
Smith believed it was a clear overthrow of Tyler Lockett, with the quarterback claiming it was merely a miscommunication on Lockett’s route.
Under NFL rules, a grounder must be intentionally called when a quarterback is under pressure and throws a “forward pass without a realistic chance of completion.”
NFL referee Alex Kemp went viral Sunday night for his conversation with Geno Smith
Smith was called for intentional grounding after throwing the ball outside in the fourth quarter, but was unhappy with the decision
Smith stated that this was not the case and tried to make his claim to referee Alex Kemp, who was having none of it.
Kemp had already started announcing the penalty and was unimpressed by Smith’s attempts to change his mind.
“I’m talking to America here, excuse me,” Kemp told Smith.
At the time, the Seahawks trailed 21-17 as they looked for their first win of the NFL season.
The Seahawks would defeat the Lions in overtime with a 37-31 win, with Smith playing a key role in their comeback victory.
Smith, who was 32 of 41 for 328 yards with two touchdown throws to Lockett, was relieved to get the win Sunday.
“We had been moving the ball really well all game,” Smith said.
“We felt very confident that we could get on the field and get that touchdown.”
The Seahawks would record their first win of the season against the Detroit Lions
Smith (center) was 32 of 41 for 328 yards with two touchdown throws to Lockett
The Seahawks came back in perfect style and picked up their first win of the regular season.
“We knew last week that this wasn’t our team,” Smith added.
Smith and his fellow Seahawks teammates will be back in action next week when they face the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.