Football Zebras

VP of officiating: who WANTS this job?!

by Mark Schultz - April 15, 2017April 15, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images Former vice president of officiating, Mike Pereira (pictured above), knew every Monday during the football season would be busy. In his book, After Further Review, Pereira wrote that he could predict what coaches would be calling and what they wanted to talk about. He had to field calls,

Making the impossible call

by Mark Schultz - February 9, 2017April 12, 2017 2

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

Alternate officials, like playoffs, have expanded over time

by Mark Schultz - February 3, 2017January 29, 2018 2

They're happy but not satisfied. They'd rather be on the field, but don't want the circumstances happen that put them on the field. Who are they? The alternates. They are the three to five people assigned, ready to go into a playoff game should an on-field official get hurt or

We’ve seen this before: Lack of experience part of the problem in 2015

by Mark Schultz - November 28, 2015October 16, 2019 15

Too many new(er) officials can make for a rocky season The 1990s were a time of upheaval for NFL officiating. Art McNally retired after a long career as the NFL officiating boss. Jerry Seeman succeeded McNally. Seeman was ready build on McNally's work and that work included making an imprint on

NFL and the referees’ union want grades confidential…until they don’t

by Mark Schultz - October 15, 2014October 15, 2014 6

Commentary by Mark Schultz The NFL season has gotten off to a contentious start between the front office and the NFL Referees Association, the union representing the on-field and replay officials. The NFLRA has accused the league of throwing the game officials under the bus publicly while supporting their calls privately.

NFL retires Jerry Seeman’s jersey number

News

by Mark Schultz - July 21, 2014August 1, 2014 6

No. 70 will never be worn again by an official The NFL made history this weekend at its officiating clinic in Dallas, as it announced that it will retire the number 70 jersey in honor of former NFL referee and supervisor of officials, Jerry Seeman. Seeman worked Super Bowls XXIII and

Brad Allen named crew chief in 1st NFL season

News

by Mark Schultz - June 25, 2014July 13, 2014 9

First rookie-season R since 1966 On the heels of the surprise announcement that Mike Carey is retiring from the NFL, Football Zebras can confirm that rookie official Brad Allen will call his first NFL season at the referee position. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a

NFL may have to change the way it appoints referees

News

by Mark Schultz - April 7, 2014April 7, 2014 2

Vital proving grounds for white hat candidates no longer exist Commentary by Mark Schultz The NFL could be having a white hat problem in the next few years. Several referees have put in 20 or more years of service, meaning that their retirement window is starting to open. There are at least

Super Bowl is final game for FJ Scott Steenson, SJ Dave Wyant

by Ben Austro - February 2, 2014 2

Football Zebras has learned that two officials in today's game will end their careers on football's greatest stage. Field judge Scott Steenson and side judge Dave Wyant, both in their 23rd NFL season, intend to retire at the end of the 2013 season, according to two sources with knowledge of their

A tribute to Jerry Seeman

Profiles

by Amy Seeman, via Storify - January 18, 2014January 18, 2014 2

Jerry Seeman 1936-2013 Ed. note -- Jerry Seeman, the former head of the NFL officiating department who ushered the league into the current replay era, passed away on Nov. 24 at the age of 77. Jerry was also a referee, head linesman, and line judge in his career -- and by

NFL100: A century of determining who gets the ball first

NFL100: 30 years ago instant replay helped decide the outcome of a game … and it wasn’t pretty

NFL100: When the referee had to rule on things other than football

NFL100: Officials used to use only one ball for a game

NFL100: For half of NFL history, the official time was not on the scoreboard

Tag: Jerry Seeman