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

In rugby, if the wind knocks the ball off the tee, this is considered a "live ball" until the kicker asks the ref if he can reset the ball. Is this the same in NFL (or any other level of American Football)?

Asked by KFA over 10 years ago

Well, KFA, I know very little about rugby, but as you can see from your first question above, the answer is no.  Since you raise "live ball" vs. "dead ball", in American football, the ball is not live until it is kicked. It isn't in play until foot hits ball.

is there anywhere that fans can get justice for bad or cheating referees in a n f l game, ie, saints at patriots.

Asked by jean morel over 10 years ago

I have no idea what you're talking about.  If you're an unhappy fan, that's the way it goes.  If you're a bettor - assuming, of course, that you made a legal sports bet in Nevada or Delaware - that's why they call it gambling.  Beyond that, I don't know what you're getting at.  How do I get justice for an entire Congress that's lost its mind?

Why in the NFL does the QB come onto the field during a change of possession time out? Is there a rule against staying by the coach until play resumes?

Asked by steve over 10 years ago

I'm sorry, but I don't understand this question.

Relating to previous question; assume it was first and goal from the 9 and on 1st down the QB ran backwards and was sacked at the 25.
Since the play "counted" why does the offense get to replay the down AND net gain yards?
Doesn't make sense to me.

Asked by J.Best over 10 years ago

Based on what you're writing now, the Ref will give these options to the defense:

2nd and goal from the 25 (declining the penalty, take the result of the play - the sack) OR

1st and goal at the 19 (accept the 10 yard holding penalty from the previous spot - College rule)

I'm not sure I can explain it any other way.

Is it illegal to tackle a player by his dreadlocks?

Asked by Drew over 10 years ago

Well, it isn't illegal as far as I can find.  You aren't grabbing the facemask or the helmet opening.  You aren't horsecollaring him (although I would think the effect is the same). I saw it happen a few years ago in a college game.  The player was asked later, on a scale of 1-10, what was the pain.  He said eleven.

My son's junior football teams have been penalized 3 times for assisting the runner. I have watched MANY MANY examples of this same thing in D1 college and the NFL and never seen a call. Examples ... first TD for Ducks vs Huskies Oct 12. What is rule

Asked by kc8333 over 10 years ago

I cannot believe the number of questions about helping the runner. In a long career of officiating at the high school and college level, I have never - honestly, never - seen it called. Your son's coach needs to speak with the league and there needs to be clarification on the rule.  In college the rule was changed this year (as I previously wrote) to make it only pulling the runner creating the foul. No one wants to make that call - really, they don't.  I obviously didn't see your son's game, nor did I see the Oregon-Washington game. And based on what I just wrote, there probably wasn't a foul in that college game.

Team A is kicking off to Team B and attempts an onside kick that before it travels 10 yards is touched by Team A. This is illegal touching, but can Team B pick up the ball and advance it without fear of fumbling due to previous illegal touch.

Asked by Dre over 10 years ago

Yes...more or less.  If there is illegal touching by A, it's going to be B's ball at the end of the play.  Unless B fouls. But basically your point is correct.  If B should fumble, the ball would be returned to the point of the illegal touch.