Being an NBA referee can be a thankless job, and it turns out to be a dangerous one too. While watching his beloved Philadelphia 76ers take on the Phoenix Suns Monday night, Meek Mill stretched out his legs and tripped the match referee, First Sportz reports. The referee fell to the ground as the crowd roared with laughter, and Twitter is speculating whether the move was an accident or if the rapper did it intentionally.
The incident occurred during the second quarter. The Suns got the ball over to their shooting area when the referee, who was observing the game from the far side of the court, tripped and fell on the floor.
The play continued as everyone tried to figure out what went down. Later they learned that the rapper, who was sitting on the sidelines, was the reason why. Thankfully, the referee walked away physically unharmed.
A clip of the incident made its way onto Twitter, and fans were quick to debate whether the rapper’s gesture was intentional. Many fans also think this won’t be the last time we hear about the trip.
“Jay Z rapped about it, but Meek actually did it,” one fan wrote.
Jay Z rapped about it, but Meek actually did it 😂
— Eric DuBose (@ed02101974) November 8, 2022
“He’s definitely gonna use this in a song lol,” another hypothesized.
He’s definitely gonna use this in a song lol
— Truth Tella (@Tella1Truth) November 8, 2022
A few viewers think that the rapper tripped the referee on purpose.
He did that in purpose😭😭
— 𝑴𝒆𝒍𝒐𝑽𝒔𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅🐝 (@DepressedMelo) November 8, 2022
“Escort him out,” another wrote.
Escort him out
— Carlos Flores (@carlosdodge22) November 8, 2022
“‘Accidentally’,” someone else chimed in.
“Accidentally”
— Justice (@ynwajustice4) November 8, 2022
But not everyone thought the move was malicious.
“People forget Meek Mill like 6’3” he was just chillen didn’t even know his long mf legs on the court,” one user pointed out.
People forget Meek Mill like 6’3” he was just chillen didn’t even know his long mf legs on the court
— The NBA Expert (@RealNBAExpert) November 8, 2022
Another argued that NBA players on the bench are much taller, but they know not to extend their legs as Meek Mill did. As someone who frequently attends NBA games and sits on the sidelines, the rapper should have known better.
“Players on the bench are like 6’7” on average but they never extend their legs out like that. Meek Mill fell off,” they wrote.
Players on the bench are like 6’7” on average but they never extend their legs out like that. Meek Mill fell off
— Saiyan Prince Vegeta aka Daddy (@realfig2020) November 8, 2022
Much to Meek Mill’s joy, the referee’s fall didn’t stop the Philadelphia 76ers from securing the win. They came out victorious, beating the Phoenix Suns 100-88.
