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 a team did an on sides kick to begin overtime and recovered the ball could they win with a field goal

Asked by Justin over 5 years ago

I was speaking with an NFL team official a few weeks ago (yeah, that sounds pretty cool) and he brought that up. If I recall correctly, the answer is yes. The receiving team has an opportunity to possess the ball...and they failed by not recovering. So both teams, in fact, would have had an opportunity to possess. A FG wins it.

In Overtime, team A is leading. Team B has possession and fumbles; team A recovers and returns the fumble, and also fumbles, recovered back by team B. Is the game over, won by team A, or does team B still have a another possession?

Asked by Jim over 5 years ago

First, the series by the team on offense (your team B) is over. Since the defense (your team A) is winning, that indicates that they were already on offense in this period of OT. So, yes, game over and Team A wins.

When do you think sports will resume?

Asked by adfasdf about 5 years ago

I wish I knew. Lots of conversations at high levels. And with a lot of moving parts. Medicine, economics, training, facilities. And will people attend? Hockey and NBA are, I think, at greatest risk. Followed by college football. For what it's worth, I think MLB plays but when, where, for how long is anyone's guess. The NFL (IMO) is about the money- they'll play but again how long? My 2 cents.

Ok on a punt return is the return team allowed to hold the gunner as in blocking technique down the field

Asked by Daniel over 5 years ago

They can hold him up, but can't "hold". Is there grabbing? Yes. But the restriction has to be more than "chicken fighting" down the field. And if it's a double team, it is less likely to be called since the receivers are giving up an extra player in the blocking.

if an offensive player is driving towards the end zone and fumbles the ball in the field of play before reaching the end zone and the ball rolls into and then out of the end zone, why is it that the defense is rewarded possession of the football?

Asked by Steve in Motown over 5 years ago

By definition, what you have there is a touchback. And it isn't so much that the defense is rewarded as it is awarded the ball. It was the offense that put the ball into and through the end zone and that's a touchback.

QB in pocket watching receivers. Long hair protrudes from helmet.
A. Unblocked DL grabs by hair and pulls to ground.
B. DL being blocked reaches out for anything and grabs hair, pulls to ground.
Is either illegal?

Asked by JAMES FRANCIS over 5 years ago

Long hair is on the player. He is not being pulled down by the facemask or a helmet opening nor is he being pulled down by grabbing inside the collar (horse collar tackle). There is no foul.

Do you ever get booed?

Asked by They have a chance over 5 years ago

Uhhh, yes.