The Seattle Seahawks made their stance clear this week following the NFL’s decision to suspend linebacker Derick Hall for one game, and they did it without escalating the situation publicly.
While head coach Mike Macdonald openly voiced his disagreement with the league’s ruling, it was general manager John Schneider who delivered the most visible show of support. During Wednesday’s game, Schneider was seen wearing Hall’s jersey on the sideline, a quiet but unmistakable gesture backing his player amid controversy.
Hall’s suspension stems from an incident during Seattle’s overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams, where the NFL ruled that Hall intentionally stepped on Rams guard Kevin Dotson at the end of a play. Hall appealed the ruling, but the suspension was upheld by an independent hearing officer earlier this week.
Macdonald has been firm in his belief that the punishment was unwarranted.
“I don’t necessarily agree with it,” Macdonald said. “I just really refuse to believe there was ill intent on that play.”
According to the Seahawks, Hall explained that the contact occurred while he was attempting to step over Dotson after the whistle and that his foot landed awkwardly — not maliciously. Macdonald emphasized Hall’s reputation within the organization, calling him an “A-plus teammate” and someone the team fully trusts.
Schneider’s decision to wear Hall’s jersey appeared to reinforce that message from the front office level. While the NFL rarely sees executives publicly signal disagreement with disciplinary action, the move was viewed internally as a show of unity rather than defiance — standing by a player while respecting the league’s process.
Hall will miss Seattle’s upcoming matchup against the Carolina Panthers, a significant absence as the Seahawks continue to fight for playoff positioning. The suspension also comes with the loss of a game check, adding financial weight to the ruling.
Several Seahawks players have echoed the organization’s stance, expressing confidence that Hall would never intentionally attempt to injure an opponent. Rams head coach Sean McVay previously acknowledged that Dotson may have already been injured before the contact occurred, though he noted the step “certainly didn’t help.”
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between player safety enforcement and on-field judgment in split-second moments. For Seattle, the focus now turns to adjusting defensively without Hall — but the message from the top of the organization is clear.
The Seahawks may accept the suspension, but they don’t agree with it, and they’re standing firmly behind their guy.