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

Watching the Steelers game. During a punt holding was called on the receiving team, and 10 yard penalty was assessed from the end of the run, how would it be assessed if it was returned for a touchdown? Or even a long return?

Asked by Cksteffy@dejazzd.com over 10 years ago

NFL rules are different but generally, if the foul is behind the "basic spot" (the end of the run) it's marked off from the spot of the foul.

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

Asked by Ryan about 11 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.

If the person who has the football has a knee that touches the ground, is he down?

Asked by Ed Gouge over 10 years ago

Generally speaking, in HS and college yes. In the NFL, the player needs to be "down by contact", so if a player is running free and slips or trips in the NFL, he can still get up and continue. In HS and college, the player is down.

On a pass two feet are required to be in bounds for a pass to be ruled complete. Could a player double hop on one foot, with adequate ball control, before going out of bounds and it be considered complete.

Asked by Rich over 11 years ago

You gave the answer: "On a pass two feet are required". And that's two different feet, otherwise it's one foot.

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 about 11 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.

When a straight arm involves the offense player using the defender's face mail, why isn't that a personal foul?

Asked by Tris Dammin over 10 years ago

It could be. It is a matter of interpretation and judgment by the official. A push off is likely okay. A grab and twist? Then it is no different than any other face mask call.

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 over 11 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?