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 contact is made between a receiver and a defender past 5 yards downfield, and the contact is initiated by the offensive player is that an infraction? If not, does that give the offensive player motive to just run into the defender & draw a flag?

Asked by Reese almost 11 years ago

You're talking NFL illegal contact beyond 5 yards.  Offensive pass interference (OPI) rules begin with the snap. If a receiver makes contact - not just brushing past a defender or trying to get away - it is OPI.  Defensive pass iterference begins once the ball is thriown.

We want to try a drop kick as an extra point.
What is it worth? 1 or 2 points
Do you have to declare that you are going for 1 or 2?
Any other things to consider?

Asked by Drew Akin almost 10 years ago

A kick for an extra point is worth 1 point. At least in HS and college. Declaring isn't necessary. For example, if a team lines up for a PAT kick, they can still fake it and run for 2.

Why was the pass that was challenged in the Michigan/Rutgers game ruled incomplete

Asked by Bob almost 11 years ago

Don't know.  From a "source", the replay people had no qualms about saying no catch once they saw the ball on the ground.  On the field, it was ruled differently by the two officials on that sideline.  It was "interesting".

Why are players penalized for excessive celebration when they score a touchdown, but Green Bay players can actually LEAVE the playing field, join the spectators in the stands, and that is not only acceptable, but cutely named the Lambeau Leap?

Asked by James almost 10 years ago

Good question. I don't have the NFL rule. But using college as a guide, you can't draw excessive attention to yourself (e.g. a choreographed dance, or taking a marker from the goalpost padding and "signing" the ball). My best guess is that the Lambeau Leap pre-dated the rulings about excessive celebration and it is more a sharing/bonding moment with the fans than highlighting the player. If I'm not mistaken, other players have interacted with fans without a penalty.

If any team kick off the ball from center and after the first touch when the ball is being passed to another player, if the opponent player receive the ball before reaching to that player and play with is it okay?

Asked by Mohammad Asraful Islam almost 10 years ago

I'm sorry, but I do not understand what you're asking.

On national TV TDay 2015 Panthers routing of Dallas Cam Newton removes his helmet twice on field with 2:30 left with no call (a few weeks after Bryant was schooled on this). Will refs get a earful from the NFL, or "no big deal - Cam's special"?

Asked by Cris Mooney almost 10 years ago

The NFL can't determine what a catch is; how can they get this right? I really don't know what they do in that case. I like Newton as a player, but he does get a bit over the top on a lot of the antics.

A defensive back makes a diving Interception in the Opponents endzone and then gets to his feet and spikes the ball is this a fumble or a Touchback. The one Official was signaling touchback and blew his whistle. But the White Hat over ruled and gave t

Asked by Tim almost 11 years ago

In college or hs, the ball is dead when player hits ground so that is a touchback. In NFL, a player can get up and run. It would appear that we have a fumble.