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!

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

514 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

If a touchdown can be made by just breaking the end zone plane, why wasn’t Jesse James’ touchdown at the end of the Steelers/Patriots game on 12/17/17 upheld? It was an EXTREMELY poor call reversal.

Asked by Janice over 8 years ago

Well, you're asking me to explain the NFL's catch rule which is inexplicable. I saw it, got excited because i root for anyone playing the Pats, then realized that it was being reviewed. Meaning logic went out the window. James was not a runner. He was a pass receiver who had not yet become a runner. With me still? As a result, he had to "survive tbe ground", even though the NFL's Al Riveron actually said in his explanation that Ben completed a pass to James. Had James been a runner, then breaking the plane scores the TD, as you state. But he was not a runner, he was still a receiver. Still with me now? Had he pulled the ball in to his body, he probably catches it and the Steelers set up for the next play on the 1 1/2. Had gecstill been in college, it's likely a catch, too. Or as Tony Dungy said, anywhere but the NFL, that's a touchdown.

Why wasn't the first touchdown by packers in today's playoff game reviewed? It looked like his knee went down but it wasn't reviewed.

Asked by AM over 9 years ago

I didn't see it but in all likelihood it was since all scoring plays are automatically reviewed. It may not have been announced - usually aren't if there's no issue.

Are players required to stop play when an official blows their whistle? Is there an exception in the rule book for when the ball is loose on the field and whistles are blowing? Why reward (on review) a fumble recovery after whistles are blowing?

Asked by bridgbum over 9 years ago

When the whistle blows, the play/action stops. If the ball is loose, as in your example, and an official blows the whistle - likely "inadvertently - then the play/action still stops. There are rules that cover those situations, including a loose ball.

On a kickoff if the ball hits the upright and falls back into play is it a live ball

Asked by Mike17gibbs@gmail.com almost 10 years ago

No. Goalposts is out of bounds. Touching something out of bounds makes the ball dead.

If a team is going for 2 and throws an interception and the intercepting player eh s the ball out of the end zone but then fumbles and the origin al team recovers and returns it to the end zone. Would that be 2 points or six because of change of poss

Asked by Rick R over 9 years ago

A try is,a special period of play. Six points can only be awarded on a touchdown, not a try. Two points.

So how does that rule change when a Quarterback falls backwards when stepped on by his own lineman? They mark where he falls not where he started to fall when stepped on. Technically no forward momentum.

Asked by Brian Jarrell123 over 9 years ago

The rule doesn't change. Forward progress is....well, forward progress. If the QB pulls out from under center and gets stepped on and falls, the ball is marked where progress ended. Now, since he "retreated" from the center and went down, that's where he's down. It's like when a receiver catches a ball in advance of the line to gain but circles back hoping to get a lane to run in. If he is tackled behind where he caught the ball, that is where it's marked. He had progress but he gave it up of his own accord; he went back on his own.

In the Second Half kickoff of the Giant V Lion game. A Lion went out of bounds and then touched the kickoff in bounds at the 9. They placed the balk at the 40. How does that happen?

Asked by Jimmy C over 9 years ago

It's a great, smart play by the receiving team. If the player is out of bounds and he touches the kick, then the kick is out of bounds. That is a free kick out of bounds and a foul by the kickers. One option on enforcement is placing the ball 25 yards in advance of the kick. Lions, 1st and 10.