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

Regarding the NCAA "Invalid fair catch signal", the rule mentions any "Waving" being considered an invalid signal. Does this include a below-the-waist, baseball-umpire-"safe" type signal to teammates to stay away? Seems like that isn't a "wave".

Asked by Wild Boars Special Teams over 6 years ago

It isn't a wave but because it can be misconstrued, the "safe" sign isn't a fair catch but does kill the play.

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.

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 about 6 years ago

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

What does it feal like to get booed?

Asked by Ron over 7 years ago

Pretty much the same way as when you misspell the word "feel".

I thought players weren't supposed to land on qbs anymore? The Foles injury was a direct result of a DE landing with his full weight on him! Then,no flag,no ejection,nothing. I saw these hits flagged every single time last year....so I'm confused

Asked by Brett Jennings over 6 years ago

Me, too. I thought the rulings last year were extreme - a fairly light contact - that even QBs didn't complain about - were fouls. I didn't see the Foles hit so I can't comment.

If a High School QB is hiked the ball in his own end-zone, scrambles out to the one yard line, and is then sacked in the end-zone, is it a safety?

Asked by EJ over 6 years ago

There are a few moving parts in your question. You say he gets out to the one; if he is stopped there and pushed back, then the QB gets forward progress at the one. No safety. If he gets out to the one and the returns on his own to the endzone and then is tackled, he put himself there. That's a safety.

Why can ball carriers stiff arm any defender directly in the face but if anyone but the ball carrier does it it's "illegal hands to the face?"

Asked by Michael Hoopazaka over 6 years ago

This is a very popular question. My sense is that in theory, a defender getting stiff armed a) could pull away easier than a lineman getting pushed under the chin, b) the hands to the face is a safety issue in close line play, and c) a stiff arm by a ball carrier is generally not "continuous" as it is in close line play.