Tag Archives: coin toss

Microphone is ref’s friend for no-sense rules

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Ben Austro

It elicits snickers from football fans when it happens, and it sometimes trends on Twitter. Referee Ed Hochuli turns on his microphone to explain a ruling, and some fans joke that it is NFL open mic night. An example from … Continue reading →

Phil Luckett was right

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Mark Schultz

Rulebook, enhanced audio vindicate controversial referee In the last 14 years, former NFL referee Phil Luckett was been mocked at best for the coin toss controversy on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.  In the 1998 Thanksgiving Day game, the Detroit Lions … Continue reading →

It’s a big game, but referees remember “it’s just 60 minutes of NFL football”

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Ben Austro

Michael Pointer of The Indianapolis Star talked to former referees Gerry Austin, Jerry Markbriet, and Bill Carollo about their Super Bowl experiences. Collectively, they represent nine of the Super Bowls, including seven which they were crew chief. Markbriet has the … Continue reading →