Making the impossible call

Embed from Getty Images   Nothing compares to the speed of a NFL game. While I've never been on the field for one, I worked on the chain gang at a Division I NCAA game one level down from the pros. The speed at that level was dizzying. I can only imagine

6 officiating observations from Super Bowl LI

Embed from Getty Images   Well it finally happened. Overtime in the Super Bowl. For the first three quarters I didn't have much to write about for this article but boy, did the fourth quarter change that! In no particular order, here are the six officiating observations from Super Bowl LI. 1. Officials let

6 keys for the 2014 season

It is time. Clinic attended, check.  Rules test taken, check. Camps visited, check. Preseason games officiated, check. It is time for the 2014 NFL season.  Just as officials have keys to read on every play, I'm going to be keying in on five things as I zebra-watch from now until

Referee assignments for Divisional round: Blakeman, Cheffers, McAulay, Morelli

Updated Friday, Jan. 10 to include full crews Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Divisional Playoffs. Officials are listed with their uniform number, years experience (including this season), the crew each official worked with in the regular season (by the referee's name), college, and outside occupation. All times are Eastern. Three

Former NFL referee and officiating supervisor, Jerry Seeman, dies at 77

Former HL, LJ, R worked two Super Bowls Jerry Seeman 1936-2013 Former referee and officiating supervisor, Jerry Seeman, died Sunday night, a half hour before his son, NFL line judge Jeff Seeman, (#45) worked the Broncos-Patriots Sunday Night Football game.  Jeff Seeman was informed of his father's death after the ball game. According to

All in the family: NFL referee style

Sunday night was Hochuli ×2 ('Gun and Pistol' night?) Earlier this week, NFL back judge Steve Freeman officiated a game with his son, Brad.  Also this week, Ed Hochuli got to officiate a preseason game with his son, Shawn.  Both Brad Freeman and Shawn Hochuli are part of the developmental program

Blakeman crew cool under chaos

Week 13: Lions at Saints Clete Blakeman's crew officiated a game that could have easily become uncontrollable at any moment. It didn't help that they were shorthanded. Umpire Garth DeFelice left the game midway through the first quarter with a foot injury. That required the crew to readjust their mechanics to officiate

Niners Smith pushes U DeFelice, ejected

Week 15: 49ers at Chargers Niners defensive tackle Justin Smith was ejected from the Thursday night 49ers-Chargers game for impermissible contact with an official (video). Umpire Garth DeFelice was attempting to break up some post-play shoving when Smith pushed DeFelice's arm off of him. Whether or not Smith knew it was an