The Los Angeles Rams have finally given fans plenty to discuss after a strong response to their loss in Australia. Yet one of the team’s lighter moments came away from the scoreboard, when Sean McVay appeared to misread a sideline interaction with an official on Monday.
The brief exchange caught viewers’ attention and became a talking point on X. It also offered another look at McVay’s animated presence near the officials.
NFL Fans React to Sean McVay’s Awkward High-Five Attempt
The Rams head coach approached a female official with his hand raised, as if expecting a high-five. She did not respond and continued past him, leaving McVay’s gesture hanging.
The moment was especially noticeable because officials are expected to maintain neutrality and avoid casual physical contact with coaches during games.
One fan focused on the potential rule issue, writing on X, “That would be a penalty. Not allowed to make contact with the refs!”
That would be a penalty. Not allowed to make contact with the refs!
— Snoop Von 💩 (@SnoopVonPoop) September 22, 2026
The reaction pointed to the NFL’s restrictions on unnecessary contact with officials. In the context provided, physical contact can result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty or an ejection, making the official’s decision to simply move past McVay significant.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
Another viewer reacted to the unexpected nature of the exchange, writing, “Sean McVay just tried dapping up the ref.”
Sean McVay just tried dapping up the ref 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Mly9k33hyD
— LONG LIVE ARSON JUDGE/Sabres fan by default (@bufnyy161st) September 22, 2026
The casual nature of the gesture made it stand out from the usual coach-official interactions. A third fan also noticed how quickly the broadcast moved away from the scene, writing, “McVay was about to high five the ref. NFL so lucky ESPN panned away from that .”
McVay was about to high five the ref. NFL so lucky ESPN panned away from that 😂😂
— Mo (@Mo_S10) September 22, 2026
The camera shift did not stop fans from discussing what had happened. Another viewer offered a more critical take on McVay’s behavior, writing, “Anybody just see McVay trying to slap hands with the female referee? He just seems like a douche.”
Anybody just see mcvay trying to slap hands with the female referee? 😂😂😂 he just seems like a douche.
— George Good Vibes (@GoodVibesGeorge) September 22, 2026
Others treated the exchange more as an amusing sideline moment than a serious issue. One fan wrote, “THIS IS HILARIOUS 🚨🚨 RAMS HC SEAN MCVAY TRIED TO GET A HIGH FIVE FROM THE FEMALE OFFICIAL BEFORE TELLING HER, ‘FINE JOB.’ SHE LEFT HIM HANGING. This is an all-timer.”
🚨🚨 THIS IS HILARIOUS 🚨🚨#RAMS HC SEAN MCVAY TRIED TO GET A HIGH FIVE FROM THE FEMALE OFFICIAL BEFORE TELLING HER, “FINE JOB.”
SHE LEFT HIM HANGING.
This is an all-timer 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/m8E7FE0ShD
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) September 22, 2026
One reaction kept the focus on the simple awkwardness of the interaction: “Sean McVay tried to dap up the official, and she left him hanging.”
The moment came after the Rams’ 28-6 win over the New York Giants, which evened their record at 1-1.
Aaron Donald returned for the game, while Davante Adams delivered 8 catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns, with Puka Nacua inactive with a hip injury. Matthew Stafford also threw four touchdown passes in the victory.
