An NFL ref’s mic’d-up response after Geno Smith interrupted his penalty call was too funny: ‘I’m talking to America here’

Referee Alex Kemp didn’t appreciate being interrupted during his call.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was having himself a game Sunday against the Detroit Lions when referees flagged him for intentional grounding on a pass in the third quarter.

The pass didn’t appear to be an attempt to throw the ball away under pressure, so naturally Smith and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll were unhappy with the call. Smith decided to plead his case to referee Alex Kemp, but it came as Kemp was in the middle of his announcement of the call. The ref’s microphone caught the interaction and his response to Smith was too funny.

Perfectly, capturing the moment, Kemp told Smith, “I’m talking to America here.”

Suffice it to say Smith and Carroll’s complaining didn’t get the call overturned. Kemp announced it and the Seahawks took a 10-yard loss on the play, though they did eventually score a touchdown later in the drive.