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 station as he…
Outside the Stripes
Outside the Stripes, Profiles
Super Bowl assignment a triumph for Vinovich on many levels
by Mark Schultz • • 6 Comments
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 for 48 hours.…
Outside the Stripes
Stuart Scott 1965-2015
by Football Zebras.com staff • • 1 Comment
We remember with heavy hearts a life well lived, and well loved.
“When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.” — Stuart Scott
Outside the Stripes, Week 15
Tony Corrente returns to Baltimore where his life was saved
by Mark Schultz • • 4 Comments
Referee Tony Corrente sustained a hit in Baltimore in 2011 that lead to a far more serious diagnosis.
Outside the Stripes
Several NFL officials have ties to the NCAA basketball tournament
by Mark Schultz •
At least three have worked the Final Four Several officials work multiple sports from Pop Warner to the pros. There is quite a history of NFL officials working major college basketball. Currently, Gene Steratore (pictured) and Bill Vinovich work major college basketball. But they are just the current in a long line of pro football officials…
Outside the Stripes
Keeping cool when getting an earful
by Mark Schultz •
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you … If—, Rudyard Kipling Kipling was never a professional or amateur football official, but just about every sports official claims that famous poem as a motto. Each week, football officials…
Outside the Stripes
Former official explains new hires’ orientation
by Mark Schultz •
How does the NFL get their new officials up to speed? Larry Upson knows what it is like to be hired into the NFL. Upson was an NFL official from 1993-98 before moving into the front office to become Mike Pereira’s assistant. Upson then became supervisor of the now defunct United Football League. Upson has…
News, Outside the Stripes
Former NFL line judge Phares enjoying ‘normal’ weekends
by Mark Schultz •
Ron Phares completes first season of retirement For 43 years Ron Phares chased football players on fields all over the country. This past season Phares, 69, enjoyed watching football games instead of officiating the contests. Phares, along with Tom Barnes, retired just before the start of the 2012 season. Phares (who wore uniform number 10) …
Outside the Stripes
Former NFL official Barnes reflects on his career
by Mark Schultz •
Tom Barnes was a NFL line judge for 26 seasons This past fall was the first one in 44 seasons that Tom Barnes wasn’t enforcing football rules. The 69-year old Barnes (who wore uniform number 55) retired after a 26 year career as a NFL official. The Saint Paul, Minn., native worked 513 NFL games,…
Outside the Stripes
Live blog: Packers at 49ers
by Ben Austro •
NFC Divisional Playoff We will be live blogging the calls and rules interpretations from the Packers-49ers game. (If you see continue reading below, click it to see the entire feed.) If you have any questions or comments, use the comments section of this post, or tweet us @footballzebras. Today’s crew is headed by Jerome Boger.…