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

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 6 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.

On 9/15/19 Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook got a penalty for blocking on Stephan Diggs touchdown catch before halftime. THe officials didnt throw a flag. It was during the touchdown review that the officials in New York called it. What?

Asked by Lonny Adkison almost 6 years ago

Lots of stuff now can be adjusted via replay. It seems that the replay folks can initiate a penalty (usually an egregious oversight or miss) if it needs to be called. There are similar situations in the college ranks re: targeting, for example.

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 almost 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.

What does it feal like to get booed?

Asked by Ron over 6 years ago

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

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 almost 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.

why was docson flagged for taunting today

Asked by darrell almost 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.

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 5 years ago

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