Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love could face a fine from the NFL after he and his wife, Ronika Stone, dressed as blind referees for Halloween, complete with walking sticks, sunglasses, and penalty flags. The costume, posted on Stone's TikTok account on November 4, came less than a week after the Packers' 20-17 loss to the Detroit Lions on October 25, a game that featured several controversial officiating decisions.
League sensitivity to criticism
The NFL recently fined Packers safety Xavier McKinney $25,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating after that game. The league has shown a willingness to penalize players and coaches for comments made on their own time; last season, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua was fined $25,000 for criticizing officials during a podcast interview. The minimum fine for a player who criticizes an official is $25,000.
Coach reaction and broader tension
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur called the costume "pretty hilarious" during a press conference but declined to elaborate further. The NFL has also fined three head coaches - Mike Vrabel, Nick Sirianni, and Aaron Glenn - $250,000 each for conduct toward game officials this season. With two officials already suspended for one game following a confrontation with a player, the league may view Love's costume as another instance of undermining officiating integrity.
