Tag: Bill Vinovich

NFL takes a hit after four referee retirements

by Mark Schultz - 2

Embed from Getty Images Every generation of NFL officiating gives way to the next. This past offseason, we saw, very quickly and dramatically, one generation give way to the next. Referees Ed Hochuli, Gene Steratore, Terry McAulay and Jeff Triplette represent 88-years of experience at the referee position. That is 88-years

Officials not afraid to use ejection in Week 9

by Mark Schultz - 0
Umpire Fred Bryan informs the Bengals' A.J. Green he is ejected after a Week 9 altercation.

NFL officials ejected five players in Week 9 for fighting. It should have been six. And the one who avoided the ejection ended up suspended. Ejection after several warnings It all started in the Bengals-Jaguars game. A.J. Green (pictured with umpire Fred Bryan above) and Jalen Ramsey had been going at it all

Six Super Bowl XLIX officiating observations

by Mark Schultz - 8

View image | gettyimages.com   The Super Bowl XLIX officiating crew is back at home and recovering from a frenzied season that was capped off with a frenzied Super Bowl.  While some may disagree with a call here and there, the biggest controversy is the Seahawks' play calling at the end of

Flopping for flag can flip flag in face of flopper

by Mark Schultz - 0

If you are a fan of basketball, you are well aware of flopping -- the art of exaggerating contact to try to draw a foul on your opponent.  Well, the art of flopping is also alive and well in the NFL, fans just haven't heard a referee call it such.

U Garth DeFelice leaves field for regional supervisor post

by Mark Schultz and Ben Austro - 3

Veteran's move leaves 11 vacancies for 2014 Football Zebras exclusive Football Zebras can report that umpire Garth DeFelice will leave the field and become one of the regional supervisors for the officiating office. The supervisors have traditionally been the graders that evaluate the game tapes for accuracy in the officials' calls. This