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

What does it feal like to get booed?

Asked by Ron about 6 years ago

Pretty much the same way as when you misspell the word "feel".

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Asked by Dennis almost 6 years ago

Happens to us all. I needed glasses for distance since I was 17. Used to wear glasses on field but it wasn't so bad so I stopped. In my later years my reading needs are worse...like you. I go know a fellow official who brings a pair of "cheaters " on the field. Keros them in his shirt pocket to write on his game card. I squint. Have you tried progressives, or bifocals? You can wear glasses on the field. Not sure I've helped. Hey thing? Be comfortable on the field.

Monday night football tonight had a player go in the end zone with the ball in the opposite side of the pile on i.e. Ball looks out of bounds but called touchdown. I thought the ball to cross the plane or be inside the pile on.

Asked by Louanne about 6 years ago

Didn't see the play but....

The ball must break the plane of the goal line....or the goal line extended. If the runner is completely inside the pylon when he crosses the goal, then the goal line is extended beyond the pylon and the plane is broken by the ball. Out there.

Regarding the NCAA "Invalid fair catch signal", the rule mentions any "Waving" being considered an invalid signal. Does this include a below-the-waist, baseball-umpire-"safe" type signal to teammates to stay away? Seems like that isn't a "wave".

Asked by Wild Boars Special Teams about 5 years ago

It isn't a wave but because it can be misconstrued, the "safe" sign isn't a fair catch but does kill the play.

NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed.

Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?

Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?

Asked by James Francis about 6 years ago

You can request, but it can also be denied if it's obvious that it is - or isn't - the down you cite. Usually the first down is marked on a tick (hash) to simplify the process. You go, in essence, from line to line. A five yard penalty is clear and the next down is clear, too. In that way, you don't have to measure on every close situation.

If a High School QB is hiked the ball in his own end-zone, scrambles out to the one yard line, and is then sacked in the end-zone, is it a safety?

Asked by EJ over 5 years ago

There are a few moving parts in your question. You say he gets out to the one; if he is stopped there and pushed back, then the QB gets forward progress at the one. No safety. If he gets out to the one and the returns on his own to the endzone and then is tackled, he put himself there. That's a safety.

Why can ball carriers stiff arm any defender directly in the face but if anyone but the ball carrier does it it's "illegal hands to the face?"

Asked by Michael Hoopazaka over 5 years ago

This is a very popular question. My sense is that in theory, a defender getting stiff armed a) could pull away easier than a lineman getting pushed under the chin, b) the hands to the face is a safety issue in close line play, and c) a stiff arm by a ball carrier is generally not "continuous" as it is in close line play.