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 a defensive player on the sidelines call a timeout during a game while his offense is on the playing field

Asked by Mark kettner over 7 years ago

No. Only a player - someone in the game/on the field - or a substitute - someone coming on to the field to replace a player - can call tmieout.

College football: punt formation has an uncovered wing wearing an ineligible number, can he be thrown a forward pass (across line of scrimmage)?

Asked by Chris over 6 years ago

Nope. The player is ineligible by number and that is always the case on a pass that crosses the line of scrimmage.

What's the call. A college defender intercepts a ball, while evading, he runs back into the endzone and falls or is tackled.

Asked by Tim over 6 years ago

Oooh, good question. First, if a defender intercepts a pass from the five yard line in to the goal, he gets momentum, meaning if he ends up in the end zone it was his momentum that put him there so he isn't penalized. It will be his team's ball at the spot of the interception - btw, you'll see an official drop a bean bag at that spot to mark it. However, that isn't what you asked. You wrote "he runs back into the endzone ", meaning he put himself in the endzone. If he falls or is tackled there, it's a safety.

NFL: Foul occurs during play. How is foul communicated to Ref? Then how to bench if accept/decline decision needed? Then how back to Ref? Who on bench is authorized to make decision?

Asked by Jay over 6 years ago

It's pretty similar at all levels of play. The big difference in the NFL and at the higher levels of college ball is the "O2O" (official-to-official) communication - the headsets. The official who threw the flag has to communicate to the referee what the foul is. Most times, the coach knows what it is, but the nearest official - one on the sideline - will try to get him the information if it isn't clear. The penalty also should be communicated so the coach understands his options. You'll often see the referee look to the sideline and signal the foul and possibly the decline signal if it seems appropriate) with a questioning look; he's communicating with the coach - the head coach. Any official who takes a response from an assistant in that situation is....uhh, not very smart.

Interception in the opponents end zone. Player runs sideways with in the end zone. If tackled is it a safety and 2 points. He doesn’t kneel down.

Asked by Steve OB over 6 years ago

No. The offense put the ball in the endzone, so that can't be a safety. Now, if he left the endzone and then went back in - on his own - and then was tackled, yes, that's a safety, because the ball was put in the endzone by the defense.

Why hasn't any quarter back worn tented visors so the MLB won't read his eyes?

Asked by Ken S over 6 years ago

At least in college, it is illegal. For safety reasons. A trainer needs to be able to see a player's eyes if they are hurt. If a helmet can't be removed (e.g. possible neck injury) the eyes will help determine consciousness.

In tonights game between dolphins and texans on the play at end of first half where Osweiler fumbled and Houston picked it up for a td, the ball went backwards so why not a backwards pass which is in play for defense to pick up and run into end zone?

Asked by Greg over 6 years ago

A fumble is a fumble, not a backwards pass. That being said, they're both still alive for a defensive score.