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

In the Browns vs. Bengals game yesterday, CLE TE appears to come down with catch, but ball is stripped out by CIN player as both go to ground. Eventually ruled an INT. Why wasn't CIN player ruled "down by contact?"

Asked by JLINK8 over 5 years ago

Yiu write there isxa strip as they go to the ground. Meaning no one is down. So if possession changes before they go to the ground and the defender has control once on the ground, you have an INT.

How can they let Kelse #87 for Kansas City wear gloves that are the same color as the referees flags ?
It potentially confuses the other team into letting up as they my think a flag was thrown... !!
I don’t think that that should be allowed !!

Asked by Ken Stamp over 5 years ago

The NFL us very tight in ruling on uniforms and equipment. I'm not sure how a glove can he confused with an official's flag. And a flag does not stop s play so its unlikely anyone would be letting up ifctheyvsaw a flag...or a glove.

QB in pocket watching receivers. Long hair protrudes from helmet.
A. Unblocked DL grabs by hair and pulls to ground.
B. DL being blocked reaches out for anything and grabs hair, pulls to ground.
Is either illegal?

Asked by JAMES FRANCIS over 5 years ago

Long hair is on the player. He is not being pulled down by the facemask or a helmet opening nor is he being pulled down by grabbing inside the collar (horse collar tackle). There is no foul.

You didn't answer my question. I know what the definition of the play is but my question is why is it presented that way.

Asked by Steve in Motown over 5 years ago

I'm not trying to be snarky here, but that's the rule. I may not agree with some, but the writers of the rules are the ones that put them in place....with the approval of teams in the NFL or the rules committee of the NCAA.

When do you think sports will resume?

Asked by adfasdf almost 5 years ago

I wish I knew. Lots of conversations at high levels. And with a lot of moving parts. Medicine, economics, training, facilities. And will people attend? Hockey and NBA are, I think, at greatest risk. Followed by college football. For what it's worth, I think MLB plays but when, where, for how long is anyone's guess. The NFL (IMO) is about the money- they'll play but again how long? My 2 cents.

Ok on a punt return is the return team allowed to hold the gunner as in blocking technique down the field

Asked by Daniel over 5 years ago

They can hold him up, but can't "hold". Is there grabbing? Yes. But the restriction has to be more than "chicken fighting" down the field. And if it's a double team, it is less likely to be called since the receivers are giving up an extra player in the blocking.

if an offensive player is driving towards the end zone and fumbles the ball in the field of play before reaching the end zone and the ball rolls into and then out of the end zone, why is it that the defense is rewarded possession of the football?

Asked by Steve in Motown over 5 years ago

By definition, what you have there is a touchback. And it isn't so much that the defense is rewarded as it is awarded the ball. It was the offense that put the ball into and through the end zone and that's a touchback.