Bills DE Jerry Hughes accosts officials in tunnel after game

At the conclusion of the Dolphins-Bills Week 13 game, Jerry Hughes of the Bills ran off the field and up the tunnel to confront Shawn Hochuli’s crew. Video was captured by Spectrum News reporter Jon Scott.

It appears that Hughes is in a verbal altercation with one official, but with the video angle, we cannot accurately report who he’s going after. Our best guess is that it is umpire Roy Ellison. Notably, Ellison was suspended in 2013 for using derogatory language towards a player on the field who was yelling objectionable racial slang.

Jerry Hughes runs off field and straight to officials, getting in the face of one in particular. Clearly something said that set Hughes off. #Bills pic.twitter.com/4uuqHL9mLM

— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) December 2, 2018

What we do see is field judge Tom Hill (foreground) and side judge Chad Hill (number 125, no relation) separating Hughes and the official.

It is very rare for players and officials to meet in the tunnel under the stadium. Hughes had to make a special trip to find the officials.

The potentially disturbing aspect of this video is Hughes apparently accusing an official of calling him a “bitch.” The NFL will take statements from Shawn Hochuli and the official involved, and will get Hughes’ side of the story. We have word that the league is looking into the situation now.

The NFL does not want this type of altercation between players and officials. Hughes could face a suspension for accosting the officiating crew. If the NFL suspends Hughes, it will happen Monday to allow the three-day appeal process to play out before next week’s game. 

Update: In postgame interviews, Hughes came up with every possible way to not answer questions about the incident.

Here's the conversation with Jerry Hughes afterwards about confrontation.

When asked specifically about it Hughes repeatedly says "I'd love to see the video." #Bills pic.twitter.com/2IdNoKzy2W

— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) December 2, 2018