Football Zebras

Happy birthday, Bob McElwee

Profiles

by Mark Schultz - August 20, 2020August 20, 2020 0

https://gty.im/714140 Congratulations to Bob McElwee on his 85th birthday today! McElwee was a NFL line judge and referee from the 1976-2002 seasons. McElwee wore number 95 for most of his career. He was a line judge from 1976-79 learning under referees Jim Tunney and Ben Dreith. The NFL expanded crews in

A salute to the veterans in stripes

Profiles

by Ben Austro - November 11, 2019 0

We recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff. Click or tap an image above to open as slides. RO Tom Sifferman (Vietnam War, USA) RO 1st Lt. Carl Madsen (Vietnam War, USAF) Of note, field judge Mearl

Documentary shadows 3 women officiating on ‘Her Turf’

Profiles

by Ben Austro - April 26, 2019July 10, 2019 0

To be the focus of attention in officiating is often seen as a curse, but a new documentary short spotlights three women who have worked to not only succeed, but also thrive, while wearing the stripes. Director Shantel Hansen spoke to Football Zebras about her first film, Her Turf, which premieres at

AAF officiating is kicking down LGBTQ barriers in football

by Josh Lewis - April 1, 2019April 8, 2019 6

Football Zebras exclusive [Editor's note: This feature was posted prior to the AAF suspending operations.] Amanda Sauer-Cook entered into officiating because she loved the game, but she had no idea when she started that she would someday be a trailblazer that opens doors at the highest levels of football. As the Alliance

Happy 90th birthday, Jim Tunney!

by Mark Schultz - March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 1

If you were a fan of the NFL in the 1970s and 1980s, and when there was a marquee game on TV, there was a strong chance that Jim Tunney was the referee. The "Dean of NFL Referees" and the first official to call consecutive Super Bowls, celebrates his 90th birthday

Adrian Hill and Scott Novak promoted to referee position

by Cameron Filipe - February 28, 2019February 28, 2019 0

The NFL has selected its two newest white hats. Today, senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron has announced that side judges Adrian Hill and Scott Novak have been promoted to the referee position. They will be replacing retirees Walt Coleman and Pete Morelli. Adrian Hill Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'vzxgWAzrRUlTQiWik1Z5cQ',sig:'5jrD_PWYTXNBqtb6pdiExKI5YMM9sdtU9BGyQILDCA0=',w:'594px',h:'428px',items:'626584758',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360:

Honoring current NFL officials who served their country

Profiles

by Ben Austro - November 11, 2018 0

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the armistice to end the war to end all wars, we recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff. Click or tap an image above to open as

Walt Coleman joins officiating’s exclusive 30 Club

by Ben Austro - August 1, 2018August 2, 2018 2

The league's own press materials refer to him as "the dean of NFL officials." Referee Walt Coleman will take the field for his 30th NFL season when he blows the whistle to start Thursday's Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. In doing so, he will have reached a milestone

NFL promotes 2 second-generation referees: Shawn Hochuli and Alex Kemp

by Mark Schultz - March 6, 2018March 6, 2018 2

Fathers have passed the NFL white hat to the sons, one directly and one posthumously. As Football Zebras noted last month, Alex Kemp seemed to be the frontrunner to be promoted to referee upon the retirement of Jeff Triplette. We also noted that back judge Shawn Hochuli was in the mix,

A salute to those officials who served our country

Profiles

by Ben Austro - November 11, 2017November 11, 2017 0

We recognize all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff. Click or tap an image above to open as slides. Click the arrows below to navigate. From Getty Images: BJ38 Greg Yette (USA Infantry) RO Tom Sifferman (Vietnam War, USA) RO 1st Lt.