In a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, quarterback Geno Smith found himself at the center of controversy after being flagged for intentional grounding in the third quarter. Smith and coach Pete Carroll were quick to voice their discontent with the call, but it was Smith's attempt to plead his case to referee Alex Kemp that caught everyone's attention.

As Kemp was announcing the penalty, Smith seized the moment to argue his innocence, prompting an unexpected response from the referee. "I'm talking to America here, excuse me," Kemp said, interrupting Smith and drawing laughter from the crowd. While the interaction may have provided some amusement, it did little to change the outcome for the Seahawks, who suffered a 10-yard loss on the play.

The call came after Smith overthrew receiver Tyler Lockett, leading to speculation of a miscommunication on the route. According to NFL rules, intentional grounding can only be called if the quarterback faces pressure and throws a pass forward without a realistic chance of completion. Commentators praised Kemp's witty response, with one calling it the best line they had ever heard from an official.

Carroll, who also disagreed with the call, was seen shouting that Lockett had run the wrong route. Despite the setback, the Seahawks managed to bounce back and score a touchdown on that drive, with Smith connecting with Lockett on a 3-yard pass. The duo later teamed up again for the game-winning touchdown in overtime, securing a hard-fought 37-31 victory for Seattle.

Smith's performance throughout the game was impressive, finishing with 32 completions out of 41 attempts for 328 yards and two touchdown passes. However, it was Kemp's viral zinger that stole the spotlight, as the referee became an unexpected star of the match. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and entertainment that can arise even in the midst of heated competition.