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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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

In rugby, if the wind knocks the ball off the tee, this is considered a "live ball" until the kicker asks the ref if he can reset the ball. Is this the same in NFL (or any other level of American Football)?

Asked by KFA almost 11 years ago

Well, KFA, I know very little about rugby, but as you can see from your first question above, the answer is no.  Since you raise "live ball" vs. "dead ball", in American football, the ball is not live until it is kicked. It isn't in play until foot hits ball.

If the wind knocks the ball off the tee, does the kicker have to ask the ref before replacing the ball?

Asked by KFA almost 11 years ago

Generally, no.  A lot of times the official responsible for working with the kicker (the Back Judge) will come over, but the kicker will set it up.  If it blows over a second time, the kicking team has to have someone hold it.

in ncaa football, what is the specific rule of marching bands playing during the game?

Asked by neal about 11 years ago

If there's an NCAA rule about bands, it isn't coverd in the NCAA Football Rules book (thankfully - one less thing to worry about!).  There might be some rules that universities and their bands follow, but it isn't a concern for officials.  The only reference to bands in the football rules is in the timing rule, Rule 3-4-1-b, regarding making sure half time is over as scheduled and getting the second half started on time. But even that rule states that bands "are under the jurisdiction of home management."  My sense is that the rule of thumb is that the band stops as the offense (home or visitor) comes to the line.

Is it illegal to tackle a player by his dreadlocks?

Asked by Drew about 11 years ago

Well, it isn't illegal as far as I can find.  You aren't grabbing the facemask or the helmet opening.  You aren't horsecollaring him (although I would think the effect is the same). I saw it happen a few years ago in a college game.  The player was asked later, on a scale of 1-10, what was the pain.  He said eleven.

My son's junior football teams have been penalized 3 times for assisting the runner. I have watched MANY MANY examples of this same thing in D1 college and the NFL and never seen a call. Examples ... first TD for Ducks vs Huskies Oct 12. What is rule

Asked by kc8333 about 11 years ago

I cannot believe the number of questions about helping the runner. In a long career of officiating at the high school and college level, I have never - honestly, never - seen it called. Your son's coach needs to speak with the league and there needs to be clarification on the rule.  In college the rule was changed this year (as I previously wrote) to make it only pulling the runner creating the foul. No one wants to make that call - really, they don't.  I obviously didn't see your son's game, nor did I see the Oregon-Washington game. And based on what I just wrote, there probably wasn't a foul in that college game.

Relating to previous question; assume it was first and goal from the 9 and on 1st down the QB ran backwards and was sacked at the 25.
Since the play "counted" why does the offense get to replay the down AND net gain yards?
Doesn't make sense to me.

Asked by J.Best almost 11 years ago

Based on what you're writing now, the Ref will give these options to the defense:

2nd and goal from the 25 (declining the penalty, take the result of the play - the sack) OR

1st and goal at the 19 (accept the 10 yard holding penalty from the previous spot - College rule)

I'm not sure I can explain it any other way.

is there anywhere that fans can get justice for bad or cheating referees in a n f l game, ie, saints at patriots.

Asked by jean morel about 11 years ago

I have no idea what you're talking about.  If you're an unhappy fan, that's the way it goes.  If you're a bettor - assuming, of course, that you made a legal sports bet in Nevada or Delaware - that's why they call it gambling.  Beyond that, I don't know what you're getting at.  How do I get justice for an entire Congress that's lost its mind?