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

1.What is the most important piece of equipment you use as a referee?

Asked by Jack over 9 years ago

Odd question. Most of our equipment is simply clothing. Good shoes help. But the most important thing you take onto the field is your brain.

Do you know when the team logos were added the NFL footballs?

Asked by Gward3 about 10 years ago

No. And I didn't know they were.

Kind of a a strange question here; if an offensive player in possession of the ball gets tackled by a defensive player so hard that his arm that is cradling the ball is dismembered is this a fumble or down since his arm is still holding the ball?

Asked by Mike F about 11 years ago

You are so right. That is strange. And after I finish throwing up, I'd say it is a fumble since the runner no longer has possession....of the ball or his arm. Where did you come up with that!?

In college football can a player from the sideline run down the field with the players on the field in celebration when the team is about to score a touchdown and there is no time left on the clock

Asked by Yolanda about 10 years ago

Technically, no. But the foul would be enforced as a dead ball after the play. In that case (Duke-FSU), the game was over when the foul would be enforced.

During a play a unsportsmanlike flag is thrown on the offensive tackle. the play ends in a touch down. Where is the ball placed?

Asked by Alvin about 11 years ago

If it's during the play, it is a live ball foul. The penalty is enforced from the previous spot. No score.

I saw a touchdown called today where the receiver went out of bounds but whip one foot around and hit the goal marker. The ball didn't "Break the plane". Righteous call or miss.

Asked by John Morris almost 10 years ago

There are a lot of possibilities here, so let's look at what you're saying. If the player stepped out of bounds before the ball crossed the plane of the goal line, then yes, it was called a TD in error. However, if the player was outside of the pylon (out of bounds) but the ball stayed inside the pylon when crossing the plane, it is a TD. In your description, the player was out of bounds but he clipped the pylon with a foot - where was the ball? If the player dove at the pylon and struck it with his body even with the ball outside the pylon (the goal line extended), it is a TD.

Why are the pylons out-of bounds but is called TD if touched-look where they are.

Asked by pschamplin about 10 years ago

Why, in soccer, is the sideline inbounds? It's the definition. The pylons are not out of bounds; they are part of the goal line "extended". When the ball, while being carried, hits one, it is breaking the plane of the goal. Like wise, if the ball is carried outside the pylon but the player touches the pylon, it is a touchdown since the ball has crossed the goal line "extended".