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

How much do college refs get paid per game for each division?

Asked by T-Rex over 10 years ago

This varies by conference.  As an example, the Big Ten pays around $2600 per game.  The official, as I understand it, is responsible for all his expenses out of that, including travel, hotel (they have to be there the night before), and meals.  At the Division 2 level, one eastern conference that shall remain nameless, pays $235, again a flat fee regardless of travel.  One Division 3 eastern conference I know of pays $190, while another in the same general geographic area pays $175.

Please help end an argument with my friends.
Is an interception a touchback if only the intercepting players foot crosee the line and not the ball? The intercepting player caught the ball at the 1 yard line, one foot in the endzone, ball never cross

Asked by Christina over 9 years ago

Based on what you describe, the player and the ball are still in the field of play. That is not a touchback. To add to the fun, at least in college, if a player intercepts at the one - as you describe - and his momentum carries him into the endzone where he is then downed, the ball is placed at the one.

are officials more "loose" on college players than they are on nfl player or vise-versa

Asked by Ryan almost 10 years ago

I don't think anyone is looser. The rules are the rules, and at both levels officials are graded. There are officiating philosophies that most fans aren't aware of, and that might lend itself to people thinking someone is letting a player "get away" with something. Officials are following the directives of their supervisors. I suppose if a supervisor had the attitude of "let'em play", there might be a more loose game. But I don't know of any like that.

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 over 9 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.

Is this hit legal or illegal ? and do you think whether this hit malicious or not ? Thank you so much. We don't know he get penalty.

Here is the video link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/h4h7zoj6km3tune/M2U00328.MPG?dl=0

Asked by sberber@etu.edu.tr almost 10 years ago

I'm guessing you're talking about the wideout on the left side of the formation, though you don't say. I'm also not sure if this is a high school or college game. There was nothing that I could see on the runner. The wideout on the left cuts low on the defender. It is, in my opinion, a hit on what could be considered a defenseless player - the play is over when the block is made so that would cause the penalty.

Is it ever legal for a blocker to grab the jersey of a defender? If not, it sure seems like it happens a lot.

Asked by RJ about 10 years ago

Everybody grabs the opponent's jersey. It's what you do after that that makes a difference. If you pull the player down with a handful of jersey, or you grab and turn the player, you're holding. Grabbing a jersey and driving the man straight ahead? No issue. Two men doing grabbing? Philosophically the offense has committed two players to block one -- who is really at a disadvantage?

Tackling a player by his long hair is a personal foul and thereby precludes the ability of the tackler from grabbing the jersey from behind. Why does the NFL not mandate a hair within the helmet rule and level the field. This is not fair.

Asked by tommdawg over 10 years ago

I didn't see the game or play and I'm not sure of the NFL rule.  That isn't the rule in HS or college.  The hair is just a part of the body.  Based on hw you describe it, I agree with you.