Josh Norman Fined for Criticizing Official After Redskins vs. Bengals in Week 8

The NFL fined Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman $25,000 for his comments about the officiating in his team's Week 8 tie against the Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN.com's John Keim reported Sunday.

Norman told Fox he plans to appeal the fine.

During Fox's pregame show Sunday, Norman reacted to the news, courtesy of Fox Sports: NFL:

According to NFLPenalties.com, officials flagged Norman for five penalties—four for illegal use of hands and one for pass interference—three of which the Bengals accepted for 15 total yards.

Following the 27-27 stalemate, Norman singled out referee Brad Freeman, in particular, according to USA Today's Martin Rogers:

"

Who is 88? I just got to know. Who is official 88? He sucked. Just got to be honest with you. I'm going to be straightforward. He was terrible and I feel he like should be reprimanded. I feel like some of the plays that was going on out there ... it was terrible.

I am baffled by it. To the point where all my teammates are feeling like that, I speak on it. It is what it is. I feel like they really need to sit down and look at that.

"

Bleacher Report's Doug Farrar noted two other players were critical of officials on the same day Norman voiced his displeasure with Freeman:

The quality of officiating has been a storyline throughout the 2016 season, going back to the Denver Broncos' win over the Carolina Panthers on opening night. The league said referees missed at least one helmet-to-helmet hit against Cam Newton by Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall.

B/R's Mike Freeman pointed out that poor officiating has been a problem:

Cam Newton vented his frustration with officiating in general following Carolina's Week 8 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

"It's really taking the fun out of the game for me," Newton said, according to the Charlotte Observer's Joseph Person. "At times I don't even feel safe. And enough is enough. I plan on talking to Commissioner (Roger) Goodell about this. And I don't know what I have to do."

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said he was fully behind his quarterback, per the team's official Twitter account: "Cam is correct. I support him 100 percent."

During an appearance on PFT Live, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton questioned why NFL referees maintain full-time jobs outside of the league.

Until the NFL takes steps to address the issue, players and coaches will likely continue to be vocal with their criticism.