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

if the ball crosses the goalline but is knocked out of the players hand and is recovered by the defence is it a touchdown or fumbule

Asked by nsane over 11 years ago

I'm assuming the ball is in player possession when it crosses the goal.  If a runner puts the ball in his possession over the line, it is a touchdown; play is over and the "recovery" is irrelevant.  You use the concept of a "pane of glass"; if you break the glass, it's a TD.  If a receiver catches the ball in the air over the endzone, he must come down to the ground with possession. So if a reception is made in the air, and the ball is knocked out of the receiver's hands before he establishes contact with the ground, it's incomplete.

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 11 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.

If you intercept the ball on about the 10 yard line and you run a little bit and then get tackled in the endzone, is it a saftey , touchback, or is the ball just place at the spot of the interception?

Asked by Cole over 11 years ago

This was mentioned a few questions ago. If you intercept a pass inside the 5 (at least in college, probably NFL, too) and then go into the endzone where you're tackled, it comes back out to the spot of the interception. That is momentum.  If it is intercepted at the ten, as you describe, and you take it into the endzone, it is your fault the ball is there, and that will be a safety.

college football - 20 yard completion for first down and db grabs receivers facemask on catch for a personal foul penalty. team was given a choice of which one to take. i thought this was an add on at the end of the play. Ruling correct?

Asked by Bob over 11 years ago

You're correct.  That penalty should have been tacked on at the end of the play. Pass play plus penalty: that should have been a 35-yard total for the offense.

Continuation on assisting the runner. I just watched another good example on a 4th quarter Dallas Cowboys TD vs the Redskins. If this is in fact against the rules, why is it never called?

Asked by kc8333 over 11 years ago

There's a saying among officials: Don't make it the call of the game.  Your calls should be solid, clear, obvious. If it's there, call it.  Pushing the runner in a pile of bodies? Not obvious, not clear.  Why is it never called? It just isn't a solid call. And I don't want to make the next week's training film as the guy who called helping the runner.

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 11 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.

Between 3rd & 4th down, what is the proper use of the play clock assuming there is an incomplete pass, no timeouts and no injuries? Is it a 40 second clock that starts immediately after the ball is ruled incomplete? If this expires can it be reset?

Asked by Orange. over 11 years ago

I'm not sure why you reference the 3rd and 4th down interval. In college, and as far as I know in the NFL, when the play ends (in this case the pass is incomplete) the 40 second clock starts. If it expires, it's a delay on the offense.