Belichick questions why Hilton wasn't ejected for shoving ref

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Belichick questions why T.Y. Hilton wasn't ejected for shoving official

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 12/20/21

If you thought Bill Belichick was turning over a new leaf after he apologized to the media on Monday, think again. The oft-hooded Patriots head coach still had plenty to criticize after Saturday's 27-17 loss to the Colts. He questioned why Indianapolis wide receiver T.Y. Hilton wasn't ejected for pushing an official.

The shove occurred during a third-quarter scrum between Patriots safety Kyle Dugger and Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

T.Y. Hilton (No. 13) is right at the top of the scrum here. https://t.co/SNmmiO0Zdf pic.twitter.com/qRaVeGeAkf
— Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) December 20, 2021

The league established a ruling in 2018 that the NFL video command center in New York can eject a player from a game for unsportsmanlike conduct such as fighting. Dugger and Pittman were both ejected, while Hilton remained in the game.

"Based on the rule, I don't see why T.Y. Hilton wasn't ejected," Belichick said, via ESPN. "I mean, he pushed an official. That was pretty clear. But that wasn't called at all. That's a clear-cut ejection to me."

Although the result of Saturday's game won't change, the league has the power to review the scrum after the fact and determine if further disciplinary action needs to take place or if fines need to be issued.

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