Bill Vinovich Archives | Football Zebras

Hochuli and Vinovich are Conference Championship referees

by Ben Austro - January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 14

Football Zebras has confirmed the assignment of referees Ed Hochuli and Bill Vinovich to the Conference Championship games on Sunday, as previously reported. Hochuli will have the AFC game between the Patriots and Broncos; Vinovich will be heading the crew for the NFC title match between the Cardinals and Panthers. //

Six Super Bowl XLIX officiating observations

Follow-up

by Mark Schultz - February 3, 2015February 3, 2015 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

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

Flopping for flag can flip flag in face of flopper

Follow-up

by Mark Schultz - December 5, 2014June 26, 2015 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

News

by Mark Schultz and Ben Austro - May 4, 2014May 16, 2014 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

Several NFL officials have ties to the NCAA basketball tournament

Outside the Stripes

by Mark Schultz - March 22, 2014March 22, 2014 6

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

5 observations from Wild Card weekend

by Ben Austro - January 7, 2014January 7, 2014 1

After wild card weekend, it always strikes me -- only seven more meaningful football games this year. In an attempt not to get too maudlin, here are five things that stuck out to me in regard to the officiating this past Wild Card weekend. Jeff Triplette's crew called an awesome game Triplette,