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

2nd down at opponent 25 yd ln.
Pass play for 10 yds, run for another 10 yds.
Holding by blocking wr downfield at 10 yd ln.

Is it 2nd down at 20
or 3rd down at 20?

Can the offense gain yds and not lose a down, where they committed the infraction?

Asked by J.Best over 12 years ago

First, you don't indicate the yards to go, so I can't know if there was a first down made.  The penalty in this play would be marked off from the spot of the foul since it was beyond the line of scrimmage and behind the end of the run (with me so far?).  It is likely at least 2nd down because if the penalty is accepted, you replay the down. 

Your third point: you could make a first down, have a penalty by the offense at the end of the run, and be pushed back with the penalty enforcement but still have first down.

When the officials raise their hands before the snap, I notice it from the back judges, sometimes one hand with the thumbs up, sometimes two, what does this mean?

Asked by Allen over 12 years ago

The three deep officials (defenseive secondary area) are the side judge, back judge (in the middle) and the field judge. Most of the time we like to play with only 11 players on each side -- so we count.  And the three deep guys are counting the defense.  That thumbs up you see says they each have eleven. If somebody doesn't have eleven, there's no thumbs up.  The back judge will hold two hands out signaling each sideline.

If 2 penalties on defense such as off sides and pass interferences which one is called it doesn't matter if flag was thrown first for off sides

Asked by Rick almost 12 years ago

You can't enforce two live ball fouls against the same team as you describe it.  In this case, you decline the off side foul and accept the more serious/significant DPI.

If there is defensive of holding penalty and the offense gets a first down , do you add 5 yards to the end of the play?

Asked by dlibby360@yahoo.com almost 12 years ago

There are fouls that can be tacked on to the end of the run.  A defensive hold is not one.  In college, for example, roughing the passer can be tacked on, even on a completed pass.  And on kick plays (punt), if the defense was offsides, rather than rekick - if the team wouldn't get a first down with the penalty - that can be added to the end of the play.  The idea there is to speed up play and also avoid additional fouls - and injuries - that can occur on kicks.

Is this page still active

Asked by KayTee about 12 years ago

The guy answering is still alive.  Does that help?

Is it legal for players to wesr hair extensions during games?

Asked by Lyle beck over 12 years ago

I am not a member of the fashion police and, thankfully, it is not a part of the rules.

In Bills vs Packers game yesterday. In the last 2 minutes of the game Aaron Rogers had the ball knocked or of his hands and ball landed in endzone and was recovered by Ed Lacy resulting in a safety. Is that considered a fumble or muff by NFL rules?

Asked by Eini34 over 11 years ago

From what you stated, "had the ball knocked or of his hands", that is a fumble. We are taking the position that he had possession, so there is no muff. A fumble by the offensive team that is recovered by the offense in the end zone, and the recovering player (Lacy) remains on the ground in the end zone, results in a safety. Even it was a muff, if the offense put the ball into the end zone and it remains there in their possession, it is a safety.