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!

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

513 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

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 almost 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.

its a penalty if a defensive player leads with the helmet to the helmet of an offensive player. However, I've seen repeatedly the offensive player lead with his helmet to the helmet of the defensive player. But there is no penalty. Why not?

Asked by ssrmaineniac about 10 years ago

It's a penalty for anyone to lead with their helmet.  Why it's not called is a tough and good question.  Almost every runner in an attempt to get more yardage "lowers shoulders" which, of course, lowers his head.  It also is usually when they are about to get hit and they are slowing a bit.  My sense is that most officials tend to see it as lowering the shoulders and not using the head as a weapon.  It probably is more common to see defensive players attack the runner, creating a more forceful impact.  But you're right - it should go both ways.

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 almost 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.

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 almost 9 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.

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 almost 9 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.

Scenerio: 4th down punt; receiver calls for fair catch; ball hits the ground, then the receiver; ball rolls into the endzone and is recovered by the kicking team... what is the call?

Asked by jason about 10 years ago

Unless I'm really screwing this up - always a possibility - it's a touchback.  The status of the ball is that it is still a kick, even though it touched a receiver.  In high school and college, a grounded kick in he endzone is a touchback.  If it was receovered by the kickers in the field of play (between the goal lines), then it would be K's ball.

Very often, on screen passes to wide receivers (bubble screens) other WRs block opposing defensive backs while the ball is in the air. I thought that was offensive pass interference. Why is it so seldom called?

Asked by RJ almost 10 years ago

If a pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage, there can't be OPI. So a WR blocking ahead of that screen is legal.