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

The ball is on the 50 yard line. On a touchdown run their is a holding call at the 20 yard line. Where is the foul marked off from?

Asked by The StripedOne over 5 years ago

Run ended in the endzone, foul occured behind the spot. Mark off from the spot of the foul - the 20 yard line.

Extra Point try, defense flagged for personal foul/roughing kicker. Half distance. Offense decided to go for 2 instead of re-kick. On ensuing kick, ref applied the 15 yard penalty from the roughing call. Isn't penalizing twice for the same call?

Asked by Paul E Miller over 5 years ago

I think they erred on that enforcement. They got the yardage on the PAT in order to go for two. There should not have been yardage on the KO.

Is it a penalty when a ball carrier pushes one of his offensive players into a defender?

Asked by Lance T Morgan almost 6 years ago

No. Even if the pushed player ends up "blocking" a defender in the back, it isn't a foul.

Alabam vs Auburn 2014. TD Pass that tied the game. 3 offensive lineman clearly beyond LOS, not blocking anyone at time of pass. How could that have been missed? I can send a screen shot.

Asked by DougMH about 5 years ago

Don't know the play but...

OLs can be beyond the LOS. They can't be more than three yards downfield when the ball is thrown. So it may not be a foul at all.

In High School football on a defensive pass interference call can it be overturned if one official deems it uncatchable

Asked by Scot Voight over 5 years ago

There is no "uncatchable" in high school. So, no.

Does a play have to be over in order to call timeout? For example, in last week’s MNF the Saints through a pass in the middle of the field and the down receiver was touched by a Texan ending play. Could Texan not touched and run out clock?

Asked by Larry over 5 years ago

I'm not sure what the touching of a player has to do with this. Yes, a play has to end in order to call time out. If a player isn't touched - downing him in the NFL - but he doesn't get up, he's in essence giving himself - and the play - up (like a QB sliding). So, not specifically knowing the NFL philosophy, the play has ended if the receiver doesn't get up and the Saints could call TO as soon as the officials blow it dead.

Famous nfl game a decade or two ago: 20 sec or so remaining. Trying to run out clock. Snapped ball, everyone on offense blatantly held defense players. Comical. Clock ran out. No penalty assessed. Game over. Can this still be done today?

Asked by JAMES FRANCIS over 5 years ago

Not sure of specifics of this game (I really don't recall it) but that would come under rules covering unfair acts, in which case a referee could take any action he considers equitable (NCAA Rule 9-2-3). I don't see how you could ignore the fouls.