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

Why was the pass that was challenged in the Michigan/Rutgers game ruled incomplete

Asked by Bob over 11 years ago

Don't know.  From a "source", the replay people had no qualms about saying no catch once they saw the ball on the ground.  On the field, it was ruled differently by the two officials on that sideline.  It was "interesting".

Suppose STL-SEA game is tied 17-17. In OT, STL receives ball and kicks FG. SEA returns kickoff to STL 10. SEA throws interception to STL defender at the 2, who backtracks and is tackled for safety. OT safety ends game, so does SEA win 19-20?!

Asked by John A. over 12 years ago

I can't answer definitively for the NFL, but in college the answer would be no.  In college there is a momentum rule (and a fellow official says he's pretty sure it exists in the NFL, too).  It's to prevenrt cheap safeties on good efensive plays like the one you describe.  Inside the five, if a player intercepts or receives a punt, then goes into the end zone where he is downed, the ball would come out to the spot of the interception/kick reception. That's why you see officials toss a bean bag at that spot. It would be the defense's ball - in this case Seattle - 1/10 at the 2.

If contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

Asked by Reese over 11 years ago

You're talking NFL illegal contact beyond 5 yards.  Offensive pass interference (OPI) rules begin with the snap. If a receiver makes contact - not just brushing past a defender or trying to get away - it is OPI.  Defensive pass iterference begins once the ball is thriown.

On national TV TDay 2015 Panthers routing of Dallas Cam Newton removes his helmet twice on field with 2:30 left with no call (a few weeks after Bryant was schooled on this). Will refs get a earful from the NFL, or "no big deal - Cam's special"?

Asked by Cris Mooney over 10 years ago

The NFL can't determine what a catch is; how can they get this right? I really don't know what they do in that case. I like Newton as a player, but he does get a bit over the top on a lot of the antics.

We want to try a drop kick as an extra point.
What is it worth? 1 or 2 points
Do you have to declare that you are going for 1 or 2?
Any other things to consider?

Asked by Drew Akin over 10 years ago

A kick for an extra point is worth 1 point. At least in HS and college. Declaring isn't necessary. For example, if a team lines up for a PAT kick, they can still fake it and run for 2.

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

Asked by Tim over 11 years ago

In college or hs, the ball is dead when player hits ground so that is a touchback. In NFL, a player can get up and run. It would appear that we have a fumble.

if you line up to kick an extra point but the snap is errant can you run or pass for 2 pts.?or will it still be 1 pt.?

Asked by new extra point rules about 10 years ago

You look at the result of the play, not the intent. It's the same as a fake; the result, if successful, is two points for the run/pass play.