News

Former college referee Mike Defee is the new Conference USA coordinator of officials

by Mark Schultz - 1

Mike Defee, a former Big 12 referee and current referee trainer for the NFL, is the new coordinator of football officials for Conference USA. Defee replaces Gerald Austin. Defee will retain his post as a trainer for referees and new NFL officials. Austin will continue to work with the conference

11 proposals for 2021 rules changes on the table

by Cameron Filipe - 1

Embed from Getty Images The NFL has released the rules change proposals from the Competition Committee and NFL teams for the 2021 annual league meeting. League owners will vote on the rules change proposals to determine if they will be implemented in the playing rules for the upcoming NFL season. A

NFL should run far away from reviewable roughing the passer rule proposal

by Mark Schultz - 0

The NFL will reportedly consider changing the rules to make roughing the passer a reviewable play for the 2021 NFL season. This appears to be a proposal submitted to the Competition Committee from one or more teams. It is a proposal that should send shivers down everyone's spine. Over the years, the

Replay official Terri Valenti retires after 4 NFL seasons

by Cameron Filipe - 0

Terri Valenti, the first female NFL replay official, has retired from the league -- confirmed by the NFL -- after serving 4 seasons as a replay official on crews led by referees Tony Corrente, John Hussey, and Craig Wrolstad. Valenti, 60, officiated in both the United Football League and Arena

3 NFL officials have retired so far

by Mark Schultz - 2

Retiring officials sometimes leave their shoes on the field after their last game. Football Zebras has learned that officials Ruben Fowler, Tom Symonette and Bart Longson will not return to the National Football League in the 2021 season. Typically, the NFL does not announce why an official leaves the league, although

NFL hires Maia Chaka, the league’s first Black woman official

by Ben Austro - 4

http://gty.im/594348720 The NFL is quickly setting new milestones with the hiring of Maia Chaka as an on-field official for the 2021 season. She will be the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game. Chaka was officially announced in a segment of NBC's Today show. The hiring comes just months after the

NFL announces closer officiating ties with select college conferences

by Mark Schultz - 1

The NFL announced Thursday that it is forming a closer officiating relationship with select college conferences to improve "the officiating pipeline." The goal is to share NFL mechanics, technology and resources with college partners, expand recruiting opportunities, provide more opportunities for women and minorities and strengthen officials' training. The Big Ten, Conference