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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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

Asked by TomN. about 7 years ago

These are all line if scrimmage fouls. In some cases your confusion may simply be the terminology the referee used in making the announcement.

Most of what you list are defensive fouls. If the offense lines up "in the neutral zone" the play never goes off, similar to a false start; often that's referred to as offside. If the defense lines up in the zone, that's the famous "free play " foul; the play goes off but it won't be adjudicated til thd play is over. It's also a "neutral zone infraction", similar to the defense jumping into the neutral zone before the snap. Aa s point of information, in college and NFL, defense offside/neutral zone/encroachment us a "live ball goul"; the play continues. In high school, the defense being offside shuts down the play.

Question: Do you know where the money went that Bell gave up the last two weeks?
1. Steelers get to keep it for future players.
2. Back to the NFL.
3. Something else.

Asked by Renee over 7 years ago

Not a clue. That's not in my area of expertise.

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Asked by Dennis almost 7 years ago

Happens to us all. I needed glasses for distance since I was 17. Used to wear glasses on field but it wasn't so bad so I stopped. In my later years my reading needs are worse...like you. I go know a fellow official who brings a pair of "cheaters " on the field. Keros them in his shirt pocket to write on his game card. I squint. Have you tried progressives, or bifocals? You can wear glasses on the field. Not sure I've helped. Hey thing? Be comfortable on the field.

In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

Asked by AWright over 7 years ago

That isn't a "football" question. It's either a league action to decide what to do and/or an ethhcs question. Lots to review - not here, though.

In Notre Dame vs Va Tech today, Notre Dame received a punt. No fair catch signal. Receiver caught the ball at the 2 yard line, stepped back into the end zone & took a knee. This was not called a safety. Ball was spotted on the 2. l Why not safety

Asked by bob over 6 years ago

We have a wording issue with your question. If the receiver caught the kick and then intentionally stepped back into the endzone and took a knee then, yes, it is a safety. But what you likely saw was momentum in play. If a player intercepts a pass or catches/recovers a kick between the five yard line and the goal line and his momentum carries him into the endzone, then the team gets the ball at the spot of the catch/interception. This is to prevent a cheap safety on what is otherwise a good defensive play. If the receiver caught the ball at the two and it was ruled momentum, then the Irish get the ball at their own two.

If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Asked by Dale over 6 years ago

It is and it should be. But it is, to a degree, judgement. It may be far easier to say runner was going OOB so lay off. Running towards the EZ you're still trying to make a play.

In high School can a QB wear 79 and can a player play tackle one play then qb then rb then then the the tackle in consecutive plays without reporting as eligible?

Asked by Thom over 6 years ago

Can a qb wear 79? Yes. But there is no "reoortibgvas eligible" in high school or college. The qb wearing 79 can play the libe and ho back. But 79 cannot catch a pass - that's an ineligible number.