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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511 Questions

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

In college football can a player from the sideline run down the field with the players on the field in celebration when the team is about to score a touchdown and there is no time left on the clock

Asked by Yolanda over 8 years ago

Technically, no. But the foul would be enforced as a dead ball after the play. In that case (Duke-FSU), the game was over when the foul would be enforced.

my team has the ball on the 4 yard going in to score We need 3.5 yards for a first down and 4 yards for a td. It is 4 th down and the defense gets an encroachment call what should happen. What down should it be

Asked by jared over 8 years ago

Ball can't be moved more than half the distance so.....

4th and 1 1/2 from the 2

While a quarterback is moving down the line giving an audible can the ball be direct snapped to the running back and suprising th defense

Asked by Rush5555 over 8 years ago

Yes. Within limits. He cannot be moving forward at the time of the snap. Everyone must have come to a complete stop before he starts to move sideways. But, the basic answer is, yes.

Is it ever legal for a blocker to grab the jersey of a defender? If not, it sure seems like it happens a lot.

Asked by RJ over 9 years ago

Everybody grabs the opponent's jersey. It's what you do after that that makes a difference. If you pull the player down with a handful of jersey, or you grab and turn the player, you're holding. Grabbing a jersey and driving the man straight ahead? No issue. Two men doing grabbing? Philosophically the offense has committed two players to block one -- who is really at a disadvantage?

On a pass two feet are required to be in bounds for a pass to be ruled complete. Could a player double hop on one foot, with adequate ball control, before going out of bounds and it be considered complete.

Asked by Rich over 9 years ago

You gave the answer: "On a pass two feet are required". And that's two different feet, otherwise it's one foot.

Refs throw flags for a "hit on a defenseless receiver" after the catch is made, the receiver turns his head and takes several steps. Why no flag for Emmanuel Sanders when he lays out for an incompletion and gets creamed without seeing it coming?

Asked by Adam over 8 years ago

I can't answer that - I did not see it. Sorry

Is it illegal for a player to touch a referee in between plays?

Asked by Joe DellaVecchio over 8 years ago

That depends. I've had a player talk to me and put a hand on my arm as you might to someone in conversation. That's communicating. I've see players say "Nice call" and tap an official's shoulder or back. That's ok. Intentionally contacting an official - pushing, shoving, bumping - that will draw a flag.