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

Case Keenum against the bears,When he leaped and extended the ball for the first down and then fumbled, if Peterson recovered the ball behind the first down line would it have been a first down due to change of possession? because 1st down was made

Asked by Leo over 6 years ago

I didn't see this play so I'm not sure what to rule. If a ball carrier (QB or other) extends the ball and he isn't yet down (or forward progress ruled), then the ball is still alive. If Peterson is also on the Bears (sorry, don't know) and he recovers behind the line, then that is where the succeeding spot (next snap) takes place. If Peterson is on the other team, it's their ball if the loose ball (Keenum's fumble) is still alive. As I said, simply because the ball crossed the line to gain, if the play is still alive, then we don't have a first down.

Have you ever had a incident where people where throwing trash and things?

Asked by James almost 6 years ago

Personally no. From the folks I know and work with in high school and college, never. I some officisls who have worked semi-pro with a lot less organization and mostly no security; they've had some scary moments but never stuff thrown on the field.

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 about 6 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.

A fumble by the offense that goes out of bounds in the field of play is awarded to the offense at the point that it went out of bounds. A fumble out of the endzone by the offense is given to the defense, why?

Asked by Steve in Motown about 6 years ago

Steve, you're asking the same question. I can't answer it any differently. There is consistency in the fact that when the offense puts the ball into their opponents endzone (e.g. punt) it's a touchback. Same here.

If a team did an on sides kick to begin overtime and recovered the ball could they win with a field goal

Asked by Justin about 6 years ago

I was speaking with an NFL team official a few weeks ago (yeah, that sounds pretty cool) and he brought that up. If I recall correctly, the answer is yes. The receiving team has an opportunity to possess the ball...and they failed by not recovering. So both teams, in fact, would have had an opportunity to possess. A FG wins it.

In high school do we need to have 5 lineman numbers in the game for special teams?

Asked by Old guy over 6 years ago

You're looking at NFHS Rule 7-2-5. On downs 1, 2, and 3, you need five lineman numbered 50-79. Exception: if the team shifts into a scrimmage kick formation, only the center can be a numbering exception. On fourth down, or a kick try, you can have numbering exceptions on the line, players other than 50-79.

On a safety, QB flagged for illegal touch (bad snap & kick ball out instead of trying to recover). Smart play, but ref made the other coach choose to decline the penalty to get safety, No option for safety & apply penalty on freekick, Correct call?

Asked by Paul E Miller over 6 years ago

There was no "illegal touch"; the foul was for illegally kicking the ball. The result of the play - the ball going over the endline because of the kicking - was a safety. You can't have the result of the play and the penalty.