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

514 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

Am I starting to lose my mind or was the rule in the NFL at one time that if there was defensive pass interfernce in the opposing team's endzone, it was an automatic TD? I remember it but nobody I've asked so far seems to.

Asked by DCCop58 almost 8 years ago

I cannot comment on your mental state but I have never heard of that as a rule. It seems very odd. There are rules in high school and college that allow a referee to award a penalty - including a score - for situations not specifically covered by rule. For example, a runner is going down the opposition's sideline waaaaaay ahead of any defender when an opposing team staff member runs out and tackles him. Referee could award a score.

In Michigan Michigan State game, Spartans had onside kick attempt with one second left in the game. Assuming the needed only 1 to 8 points to win or tie, could they have recovered the onside kick and had an untimed down on offense? What scenario?

Asked by Gerry over 8 years ago

I'm going to say no. The question above addresses that, too. The clock starts on the legal touch in the field of play. If there is one second left, as soon as the MSU player touches it legally, the clock starts. And with one second left - and K not being able to advance the kick - the clock goes to zero and the game is over.

If two players are running down the field and one punches the other it is a personal foul. Why is it not a personal foul when one player has the football and another player tries to punch the football out missing and punching the arm or ribs?

What is the intent of the act? While officials can't always determine intent, in the case you cite, if a player is trying to strip the ball and something else happens, you look at intent. Throwing a punch is quite different.
 If the ruling is on intent on a personal foul if someone swings with a closed fist or open hand with intent to hit the ball and miss the ball hitting the body the intent is to hit something so by definition that should be a personal foul right?

Asked by Jeff over 8 years ago

I list you after the first sentence.

On the famous trick play South Dakota State scored on against NDSU, am I the only one who thinks SDSU should have been flagged for illegal formation. Every time I look at it I see 8 men on the line of scrimmage and 3 in the backfield. Throw the flag!

Asked by markelbertrea over 8 years ago

It can't be that famous - I never heard of it. But I did look it up. And from what I can see here, it looks as if both 19 and 87 are on the line. To your specific point, it's ok to have eight on the line. The rule states, No more than four players may be backs There aren't. So that isn't a foul. It looks as if the play is legal. Don't throw the flag!



If team A has a 3rd and goal situation on the 11 yd line and attempts a pass into the endzone and Team B commits a personal foul (not sure if it was roughing the QB or a target hit on the intended receiver).....what would be the course of action?

Asked by Confused over 8 years ago

The easy part is if it's a targeting (in college) the player is ejected. A roughing the QB is an automatic first down (NCAA). Same for targeting. If there was no score on the play, that would create 1 & goal at the 5 1/2 yard line.

On a kickoff if the ball hits the upright and falls back into play is it a live ball

Asked by Mike17gibbs@gmail.com over 8 years ago

No. Goalposts is out of bounds. Touching something out of bounds makes the ball dead.

Last play of game... QB runs around and clock expires. He throws the ball up in the air and the opposing team falls on the ball in the end zone. What is the call?

Asked by Jack over 7 years ago

Well, if they fall on the ball, the implication is that the ball is on the ground. That's an incomplete pass and the game is over. If they intercept it and fall on the grounds, the game is over.