Outrage Erupts Against NFL as Referee Is Seen Holding Matthew Golden’s Hand After WR Punches Panthers Player During TNF

There is no grey area when it comes to unnecessary force on the gridiron; you throw a punch, you’re ejected from the game. The flag comes out immediately. With such clarity on the rule, imagine how bewildering it was to see a referee holding Matthew Golden’s hand, after he appeared to punch a Carolina Panthers player in the Thursday Night Football matchup.

“Ref was getting ready to eject Matthew Golden but maybe he just really needed a friend right now,” wrote Barstool Sports on X, sharing the clip. 

It is seen that the Packers wide receiver was trying to dodge Marco Wilson’s attempts of pushing him off. Golden finally lost his cool and pushed at the Panthers defender, retaliating against him with an apparent shove on the chest and then a hit on the facemask. A referee quickly intervened and threw a flag. However, it was intended for Wilson, not Golden.

The WR could have easily been flagged for a facemask foul, which results in a 15-yard penalty.

The next scene showed the Prime Video cameras capturing something that left the fans upset at the league. Even though the referee came running, instead of ejecting Golden, he had a firm grip on the WR’s hand as they ran together. Another ref also approached Golden soon after.

The referee was also seen talking to Golden when he was on the bench, this time with some apparent restrained anger.

The decision is getting even more criticized since the head referee is Scott Novak, who has thrown the most flags this season. Novak’s crew has thrown 141 flags through seven games. Wilson was given an unnecessary roughness penalty, which was necessary, but Golden’s retaliation, per the rulebook, also called for one.

When it comes to Golden, he was already marked by the NFL.

Golden’s celebration after a 37-yard reception in the first quarter of the Packers’ 23-13 win over Dallas last Sunday has cost him $11,941. He turned and flexed toward a Cowboys player, prompting officials to call a 15-yard taunting penalty. But this time no action was taken against him, leaving fans upset. 

“What the actual f*** is this? Never seen it in my 40 years of fandom,” wrote a fan. 

“What a league… @NFL u can throw a punch but can’t tackle a qb,” wrote another upset fan. 

“And the other guy got flagged for unnecessary roughness,” read another comment. 

“Refs really give the Packers special treatment. It’s insane,” another fan wrote. 

“Weird, never seen a punch not be ejected,” a fan wrote.

It remains to be seen whether Golden gets a penalty after the league has reviewed the game. The hits have been caught on camera, and the internet has discussed the act plenty.  

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