AP

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman took issue with the gulf between the penalties called on his team and those called on the Saints during Sunday’s 25-20 loss with a particular focus on the lack of offensive pass interference penalties on Saints receivers.

Sherman didn’t have the same ire for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that safety Earl Thomas received when he hugged side judge Alex Kemp after returning a fumble for a touchdown early in the game. Thomas chalked his odd celebratory choice up to being caught up in the moment when asked about it after the game.

“Having fun, bro,” Thomas said, via the team’s website. “Just excited about the moment. I only live like three hours away from here. I’m just thinking like, ‘Man, everybody back home just saw me score.’ You never know what happens when you go into these games, then the ball kind of goes your way. Just an exciting moment. That’s just how I celebrated.”

The NFL rulebook calls for players to be ejected if they “shove, push, or strike [an official] in an offensive, disrespectful, or unsportsmanlike manner” but makes no reference to rules governing unsolicited hugs.