Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald Calls on NFL to Review Derick Hall's Penalty After Appeal — League's Response Sparks Outrage Across Seahawks Community

Seattle, Washington – December 25, 2025

The dramatic overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football should have been a defining emotional high point for the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, the celebration was quickly overshadowed by a controversial disciplinary decision from the National Football League — and a growing backlash from the Seahawks community that shows no signs of fading.

Linebacker Derick Hall was suspended for one game after being accused of intentionally stepping on Rams guard Kevin Dotson, an incident that resulted in Dotson suffering a right ankle injury and being carted off the field. Hall immediately appealed the ruling, arguing the contact occurred during a chaotic sequence and lacked malicious intent. The NFL, however, denied the appeal and upheld the suspension.

Here is great evidence that #Seahawks Derick Hall. Hall's foot got caught under #Rams Kevin Dotson and Hall tries to avoid him.

Glad he is appealing this.

Ram fans owe him an apology. Saw some disgusting comments.

H/T: @NatUW_Hawks

[🎥: NFL]pic.twitter.com/myRuuP8ptM

— HawkMania (@hawkmania4) December 20, 2025

Head coach Mike Macdonald did not hide his frustration when asked about the decision. Speaking during his midweek media availability, Macdonald made it clear that while the Seahawks respect the league’s authority, they strongly disagree with the conclusion reached.

“We accept the decision, even if we don’t agree with it,” Macdonald said. “I refuse to believe there was any ill intent involved. When you watch the play in its full context, it’s difficult to come away believing this was deliberate.”

Macdonald emphasized that the organization submitted extensive video evidence, multiple angles, and technical analysis during the appeals process, hoping the league would reconsider the severity of the punishment under principles of fairness and consistency. Instead, the NFL’s brief and definitive response extinguished any remaining hope: the suspension would stand.

That response has fueled widespread anger among Seahawks fans. Across social media platforms, supporters questioned the consistency of NFL discipline, pointing to similar on-field incidents throughout the season that resulted in far lighter consequences — or none at all. Many believe Seattle is paying an outsized price at the most critical juncture of the season.

From a football standpoint, Hall’s absence is significant. He has been a key piece of the defensive rotation, regularly logging heavy snap counts and contributing to the pass rush. Losing him now comes at a particularly difficult moment, with a challenging Week 17 road matchup looming and little margin for error.

The NFL may view the matter as settled. But for the Seahawks — and their fan base — the aftermath lingers. What should have been a signature victory now carries a bitter edge: a suspended player, a disrupted defense, and a growing sense that fairness on the league’s biggest stage remains unevenly applied.