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

If a QB throws the ball out of bounds "throwing the ball away" from their own endzone, is that intentional grounding (where a safety would be awarded to the other team) or just an incomplete pass?

Asked by George A. over 13 years ago

This question appeared back in November but, unfortunately, I didn't get notified that it was here. I'm seeing it now the day before the Super Bowl. Can it be intentional grounding? Yes, and if it is then it is a safety (it's a "spot foul", meaning it is marked off from the spot of the infraction). But just as on any other part of the field, the QB can throw it away under certain circumstances (e.g. out of the pocket) and it goes as in incomplete pass.

How does the NFL decide who gets to ref the Super Bowl? Is it purely seniority, or are the refs "ranked" in some way?

Asked by cannonball! over 13 years ago

Appropriate that there would be a question on the eve of Super Bowl XLVII. There is sooooo much on the line in these contests that the NFL - any league and even the college conferences - has to have its best on the job. There are rankings and the best get to the top games. As I understand it, though, there is a rotation among the top officials so that the same referee (white hat) or other positions don't get the game every year. I mentioned the colleges. In one conference, for example, crews are assigned games up until the closing few weeks when games are more critical in deciding championships. For those late games, merit is the criteria for assigning the officials.

Why do football referees have numbers on their jerseys?

Asked by Kappy.13 over 13 years ago

It's a simple identification process. Granted, the NFL has a pretty limited number of officials, but the idea is to accurately identify who is making the call. It isn't done on the college level or the high school level. There are numbers used in other sports, e.g. In New Jersey, high school wrestling officials have identifying numbers.

1st down at 9...QB sacked at 25.
2nd down at 25, 20 yd gain, but holding downfield on O at 10.
Decline P: 3rd down at 5
Accept P: 2nd down at 20(or 15?)
Is that correct? Sorry to need to clarify, just seems odd that O can gain yds and not lose down.

Asked by J.Best over 12 years ago

Everything is dependent on where the foul occurs.  In this scenario, the hold is at the 10, behind the basic spot (where the run ended).  Enforcement is from the ten if the penalty is accepted.  So if it is accepted, it is 2nd and goal at the 20.

If a punt touches a receiver but does not gain possession, hits the receiver's end zone, then he grabs it on a bounce and takes a knee, should that be a touchback or a safety?

Asked by JF over 12 years ago

There's an old saying: A kick is a kick is a kick.  What you're describing is a kick.  The kick is what put the ball in the endzone (since there was no possession by the receiver).  And a kick in the endzone is a touchback.

Can refs get fined or penalized for making bad calls?

Asked by sungod todd over 13 years ago

In the NFL, as well as all the major college conferences, officials are evaluated on every game. They are graded on good calls, poor calls, good no-calls, and bad no-calls. Those evaluations go into their ranking and, ultimately, into their promotion, retention, or release. In the case of egregious mistakes (e.g. giving a team a fifth down, blatantly mis-enforcing or interpreting a rule) an official -- or even an entire crew -- could be suspended or lose game assignments. Since that means no paycheck, I guess you could say they do get "fined".

How many players have to line up on each side of a kicker during a free kick in high school football? Please include any rulebook references.
Thank you.

Asked by Coach Loh almost 13 years ago

Unlike in college where there must be at least four on each side of the kicker, there is no such rule in high school football.  The NFHS Rules Book shows no references for that under any of the pertinent rules, specifically Rule 6 - Kicking.