Football Zebras

Football Zebras celebrates 10 years

by Ben Austro - January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 1

Somewhere in the middle of the 2008 season there was a call that challenged the interpretation of the rules. I was looking to verify my understanding, but everywhere I turned the play was through the lens of the team. It was the right call, even though it was controversial. It

Father’s Day crews

by Mark Schultz - June 17, 2018June 18, 2018 1

One of the fun parts of being a dad is when a child wants to join the dad in an activity or hobby, or just wants to spend time together. I'm sure NFL officials are happy when their kids want to take up officiating. That happiness and pride, I'm sure,

Major League Baseball umpire makes the call of the year

by Mark Schultz - June 30, 2017July 19, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images MLB umpire John Tumpane made the call of the year June 28. But, he didn't make it on the field. In fact, he didn't even make the call at a ballpark. On that day, Tumpane was in Pittsburgh, near PNC Park and walking to his hotel after lunch. He

NFL quietly passes ‘Hot Potato’ rule for coin toss

Outside the Stripes

by uɹǝʇuᴉ sɐɹqǝZ llɐqʇooℲ ǝɯos - April 1, 2016March 31, 2016 6

The NFL has circumvented the typical rule-revision process and is making a rule change that will affect the opening coin toss, according to a league source."We made the point-after-touchdown try a more exciting play last year," the source said. "We looked at other parts of the game, and realized that

Serious injury can re-calibrate outlook on life in a hurry

Outside the Stripes

by Mark Schultz - January 10, 2016January 10, 2016 8

January 2 was going to be a long day. My family and I were driving back home from visiting family that day. It was just after 7 a.m. I was making my last trip down the stairs and we were five minutes from beginning our 14 hour journey. I successfully

How can I watch the Bills-Jaguars game from London?

Outside the Stripes

by Ben Austro - October 21, 2015October 24, 2015 4

This is the United States calling, are we reaching?The Bills-Jaguars game on Sunday morning (9:30 a.m. Eastern) from London will be produced by CBS Sports and streamcast by Yahoo. The game will not be televised by the network or on the NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV. Kevin Harlan and Rich

Frank Gifford, 1930-2015

Outside the Stripes

by Ben Austro - August 9, 2015August 9, 2015 1

View image | gettyimages.com Frank Gifford, the Hall of Fame running back for the New York Giants in the 1950s and '60s and longtime broadcaster on Monday Night Football, died at the age of 84, just a week shy of his birthday. Among Gifford's numerous accomplishments, he started for the Giants in

Top Ten signs your crew has a bad official

Outside the Stripes

by Ben Austro - May 21, 2015 3

As a tribute to our dear television friend David Letterman, here is a Football Zebras inspired Top Ten list. From the home office in Wahoo, Nebraska; top ten signs your crew has a bad official. Here we go ... 10. He has all the penalties written on his arms 9. He says he

Happy belated birthday to Ben Dreith

by Mark Schultz - February 15, 2015June 26, 2015 4

View image | gettyimages.com Former NFL referee still giving them the business at age 90 February 1, 2015 was a big day for former AFL and NFL referee Ben Dreith. He celebrated nine decades on earth by watching Super Bowl XLIX. Dreith, who lives in Denver, was profiled by a local television

Super Bowl assignment a triumph for Vinovich on many levels

by Mark Schultz - January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 6

View image | gettyimages.com Referee overcomes life threatening illness and long layoff You might excuse Bill Vinovich if he feels a little extra emotional on Sunday. Eight years ago, the thought of working a Super Bowl was the last thing on the referee's mind. In April 2007, Vinovich's goal was to survive

NFL100: When the referee had to rule on things other than football

NFL100: Officials used to use only one ball for a game

NFL100: For half of NFL history, the official time was not on the scoreboard

NFL100: Officials with the longest NFL tenure (30+ seasons)

NFL100: 90-year-old rules made for a different game

Outside the Stripes