Question

[TheOrioleWay]

This isn't a big deal, more of a curiosity thing: I noticed a ref helping Brady get up on his feet Monday night.

Again, not a major complaint, but I just don't recall ever seeing a ref help a player get up off the turf; kinda thought refs would be required to be neutral unless the player was clearly injured.

Just wondering; any thoughts?

[GOTA]

I've seen it before with running backs. Sometimes when a player is on they reach up and whoever is there helps them. You even see it with the opponent helping a guy up and giving him a pat.

[MDPucks]

The lead referee (white hat) will be the official who most often does this as he isn't responsible for immediate ball placement after a play. Hocculi, Steretore, and a couple of other veteran white hats are in shape and will help a QB up, while also quick checking if they're okay. Another example is Hocculi helped Flacco up after the Pats sacked him in the 1st quarter (the strip/fumble no replay break the Ravens got).

[HoustonRaven]

I've seen it rather often.

Helping a player up off the ground does not equal them being partial.

[BigPlayReceiver]

The lead referee (white hat) will be the official who most often does this as he isn't responsible for immediate ball placement after a play. Hocculi, Steretore, and a couple of other veteran white hats are in shape and will help a QB up, while also quick checking if they're okay. Another example is Hocculi helped Flacco up after the Pats sacked him in the 1st quarter (the strip/fumble no replay break the Ravens got).

Yup. This. He doesn't have much to do for a few seconds unless there's a penalty.
I do remember being butthurt years ago when I first saw it...it was Brady being helped.