In an odd scene after the Bills loss to Miami, defensive end Jerry Hughes confronted an official in the tunnel and threatened him/challenged him to a fight.
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
That’s not good! Weirder still, Hughes apparently denied it ever happened:
Despite video evidence, Jerry Hughes said he couldn't recall this incident after the game. Said he had no issue with the officials. https://t.co/mNSvVgKOru
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) December 2, 2018
Jerry Hughes says he would "love to see the video" of him going after ref after the game in the tunnel. Denies it happened. Uh… #Bills
— Nick (@Nick_Wojton) December 2, 2018
Here's video of the exchange between Jerry Hughes and the official. Hughes said, "When I see him on the street, I'm going to knock him out." https://t.co/4XuQiS3js7
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) December 2, 2018
So, what’s happening here? Hughes may have decided he had nothing to gain by talking to the media about it, or he may have realized he was wrong and is hoping it all goes away. There’s also the chance he’s right, and an official did indeed provoke him. That’s not unprecedented; the most famous incident was probably when MLB umpire Mike Winters provoked Milton Bradley by swearing at him. Winters ended up suspended for it.
Regardless of the provocation, it seems likely that Hughes is going to face some kind of punishment for the confrontation. Hopefully the league investigates his allegation, too, if he ever gets around to making it again.
