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

why was docson flagged for taunting today

Asked by darrell over 7 years ago

Didnt see it. But he obviously said or did something that was considered unsportsman-like. You can't flaunt it in your opponent's face.

Is it legal for a QB to bob his head to get the Def to jump offsides?

Asked by Coach Bruce over 7 years ago

Hmmm. Maybe.....

An offensive player cannot simulate the start of the play, e.g. a lineman flinching or coming out of a three-point stance. In the normal course of yelling signals, a QB might move his head. Is that simulating the start of the play? Not necessarily. If a QB has bobbed his head throughout the game and no one has moved, we have nothing. But if late(r) in the game he suddenly changes his actions at a critical time (e.g. 3rd and two, driving for the go ahead score) in an attempt to draw the defense, then we have a foul.

NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed.

Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?

Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?

Asked by James Francis over 7 years ago

You can request, but it can also be denied if it's obvious that it is - or isn't - the down you cite. Usually the first down is marked on a tick (hash) to simplify the process. You go, in essence, from line to line. A five yard penalty is clear and the next down is clear, too. In that way, you don't have to measure on every close situation.

Monday night football tonight had a player go in the end zone with the ball in the opposite side of the pile on i.e. Ball looks out of bounds but called touchdown. I thought the ball to cross the plane or be inside the pile on.

Asked by Louanne over 7 years ago

Didn't see the play but....

The ball must break the plane of the goal line....or the goal line extended. If the runner is completely inside the pylon when he crosses the goal, then the goal line is extended beyond the pylon and the plane is broken by the ball. Out there.

Today, Dec 23rd I watched a receiver catch a pass, his leading foot comes down in bounds and slides out of bounds as his second foot touches in bounds. Is this a catch or incomplete pass?

Asked by Hise over 7 years ago

Are you talking about the Steelers? I think I saw that one and I tilted my head on it when I first saw it..

From what you wrote I'm not sure that is physically possible - to hit with a foot and have that same foot slide out. And what you describe sounds incomplete - because the first foot is out of bounds when the second hits.

That being said, what I saw was the first foot still in as the second one touched.

Help with NCAA rule. Team A attempts a FG and the FG is blocked. There is an inadvertent whistle in scramble for ball. Defense recovers ball. Does Defense retain possession or does offense get to rekick? Our ruling - kicking team rekicked and won

Asked by Jason O about 7 years ago

Loose ball - replay the down.

In the Raiders game during the second quarter. Maxx Crosby tackled Tyrod Taylor for a 1 yard loss and it wasn't recorded as a sack. Why?

Asked by TandI2018 over 6 years ago

Was Taylor running (not scrambling)? If so, then he wasn't a passer so no sack.