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 two players are running down the field and one punches the other it is a personal foul. Why is it not a personal foul when one player has the football and another player tries to punch the football out missing and punching the arm or ribs?

Asked by Jeff over 8 years ago

What is the intent of the act? While officials can't always determine intent, in the case you cite, if a player is trying to strip the ball and something else happens, you look at intent. Throwing a punch is quite different.

If a player is running down the sideline for a touchdown, ball is in one hand extended over the out of bounds line, runs into the Endzone, ball still extended, he never steps out however the ball is extended outside the pile on, is it still a td?

Asked by Tim over 8 years ago

Yes. In that case it's the "goal line extended". The player is in bounds as he crosses; the ball also is considered to have crossed the GL.

NCAA Onside kick scenario: Team A kicks off and recovers onside kick after it travels 10 yards with no touching by team B. Does any time come off the game clock?

Asked by Wyvrn164 over 8 years ago

With one exception the answer is yes. If a receiver catches the ball while on the ground then no time comes off - touching and being down are at the same moment. In all other scenarios- whether it's K or R - some time comes off. The clock starts with legal touching in the field of play. K cannot advance it so the clock would wind and then be stopped.

If the defense is in cover 1, and the QB see's the weak side linebacker up on the line of scrimmage, what does that tell the QB?

Asked by Patsr#1 almost 8 years ago

This is a site dealing with officiating. Find the one dealing with being a quarterback.

I have watched both Tennessee and Alabama receiving backs on kickoffs to them, let the football go over their head and land in the end zone and not go out. They did not ground the ball even though it had traveled over 10 yards and to me, was live.

Asked by Wally over 8 years ago

But to the Rules Committee and the officials, it is not. Rule 6-1-7-a states: "When a free kick untouched by Team B (receivers) touches the ground on or behind Team B's goal line, the ball becomes dead and belongs to Team B." In the NFL it is still alive.

Why did we not see the National Anthem before the packer game! It's a part of football

Asked by Pat about 8 years ago

You'll have to contact Fox Sports for that answer.

if "nigga" is used on the field in football is it a penalty

Asked by mgoblue68 over 8 years ago

Yes. It is disparaging and considered - at the minimum - taunting. Unsportsmanlike conduct.