Football Official

Football Official

Zebra

Somewhere in, NJ

Male, 62

I've officiated football for over 30 years, now in my 26th on the college level. I've worked NCAA playoffs at the Division II and III level. In addition, I've coached at the scholastic level and have been an educator for over 35 years. I have no interest whatsoever in being an NFL official! Ever!

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514 Questions

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

Can the offensive receivers block defensive backs while the pass is in the air? I see Denver do it all the time.

Asked by Mark over 11 years ago

Regardless of level, offensive pass interference (OPI) rules begin at the snap. So what you describe, technically, is OPI and illegal. I went to bed early so I didn't see all of the game.  Is there contact downfield on many, if not all, plays? Yes. Is it always called? No. Depending on the situation, contact initiated by the receiver might be ignored if the QB was looking the other way the whole time and the play (pass) was thrown away from the contact.  Same goes for defensive pass interference. But technically, contact initiated by the offensive player is interference.

Ok a punt goes thru a players hands, as he turns to go after the punt he steps out of bounds. He then comes back in grabs the ball in the end zone and starts running. He is then tackled in the end zone. It is called a touchback. Is that the proper ca

Asked by Brad almost 10 years ago

The kick is still a kick - it was never possessed by anyone. In college, the player is out of bounds once he steps out, and if he touches the ball in play, it is dead. But go back to the kick: in HS and college, a grounded scrimmage kick (punt) in the endzone is dead - it's touchback. Sounds like they got it right.

If I grab a player by his jersey around where his name is and tackle him I have made a legal play. However if I were to grab for the same place on the jersey of a long hair I would be penalized. Why does the league not require hair with the helmets?

Asked by tommdawg almost 11 years ago

That is not a college or high school rule ad I'm not certain of the NFL rule. And I really can't respond to the philosophy that the NFL Competition Committee uses in creating rules.

Is there a rule regarding players from the sideline entering the field of play (end zone as well) and participating in the celebration of a score?

Asked by Dont over 9 years ago

In the NFL, there cannot be choreographed celebrations. Having your non-players (off the sideline) on the field likely falls into that category. In college it is specific: Rule 9-2-1 says no one - including the mascot - is allowed on the field during any period without the permission of the referee.

The NFL rule book says only 1 penalty can be enforced per play.
The exception being if touching a ref is one of them. How did the Bengals get two 15 yard penalties on 1 play? One for defenseless receiver and one unsportsmanlike conduct for 30 yards

Asked by Kashman100 over 9 years ago

Th defenseless player call is a live ball foul, that is, during the play. The unsportsmanlike would probably have been a dead ball foul. after the play is over. You can enforce a live ball and a dead ball foul.

Is this page still active

Asked by KayTee over 11 years ago

The guy answering is still alive.  Does that help?

If there is defensive of holding penalty and the offense gets a first down , do you add 5 yards to the end of the play?

Asked by dlibby360@yahoo.com almost 11 years ago

There are fouls that can be tacked on to the end of the run.  A defensive hold is not one.  In college, for example, roughing the passer can be tacked on, even on a completed pass.  And on kick plays (punt), if the defense was offsides, rather than rekick - if the team wouldn't get a first down with the penalty - that can be added to the end of the play.  The idea there is to speed up play and also avoid additional fouls - and injuries - that can occur on kicks.