Football Zebras

Look for the umpire and back judge to spot the ball during 2-minute drill

by Mark Schultz - January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 01255

There was a ton of consternation this playoff season about the officials spotting the ball during the frantic final seconds of the football game. If there is a two-minute drill this weekend, here is what should happen. First of all, look for players to assist the officials in getting the ball spotted. https://streamable.com/cppnc6 The

The NFL umpire is more stationary this season

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 03226

This year, Walt Anderson, senior vice president of officiating training and development, trained the officials to get in position and be stationary at the apex of a play. The philosophy is that a stationary official's eyes will be still and he'll be able to zero in and focus on the

NFL Referees Association honors 5-time Super Bowl umpire Ron Botchan

News

by Mark Schultz - May 10, 2019 04587

The NFL Referees Association (NFLRA), the union representing NFL officials, recently honored retired umpire Ron Botchan with the 2019 Honoree Award. The award recognizes an official for on-field accomplishments and support of the NFLRA. â€œRon exemplifies everything NFL officials strive to be,â€ said NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green in a news

3 observations from the Hall of Fame Game

by Mark Schultz - August 3, 2018August 3, 2018 05457

Embed from Getty Images It is hard to watch a preseason game from start to finish, but the Hall of Fame Game is a chance to welcome the NFL back after a six month hiatus. After a turbulent off-season that saw many rule changes and other officiating challenges, here are three

NFL has several options for Steratore’s replacement

by Mark Schultz - June 25, 2018January 29, 2019 19209

NFL officiating was center stage last week as two of its top referees, Terry McAulay and Gene Steratore, abruptly announced their retirement from the field in order to become rules analysts on network TV. At the end of the 2017 season, Jeff Triplette and Ed Hochuli retired. This is the first

Former NFL umpire Rex Stuart passes away

by Mark Schultz - March 12, 2018March 12, 2018 06605

Embed from Getty Images Â Rex Stuart, 1941 - 2018 John Rex Stuart, a retired NFL umpire and replay official, died on March 6, at the age of 76. The Lincolnton, N.C. native officiated in the NFL from 1984 to 1997 and wore number 103 his entire career. Stuart played college football at Appalachian

Major League Baseball umpire makes the call of the year

by Mark Schultz - June 30, 2017July 19, 2017 04958

Embed from Getty Images Â MLB umpire John Tumpane made the call of the year June 28. But, he didn't make it on the field. In fact, he didn't even make the call at a ballpark. On that day, Tumpane was in Pittsburgh, near PNC Park and walking to his hotel after lunch. He

Concentration is key to avoiding wrong-way flags and other errors

by Mark Schultz - December 14, 2016April 12, 2017 75367

Detroit Lions fans were aghast and pundits hooted at Jeff Triplette's crew during Week 14 as umpire Shawn Smith called an illegal hands to the face foul. The foul was there, but Smith called it on the wrong team. The Bears were guilty of the infraction, but Smith called it

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 4: XX to XI

50 Super Bowl calls

by Football Zebras staff - February 4, 2016September 7, 2016 610310

The Football Zebras staff -- with the assistance of our affiliated forum, Behind the Football Stripes -- has examined the Super Bowls of years past for the work of the officials who, in a given year, achieve the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for

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Offense not allowed to quick-sub and quick-snap

by Mark Schultz - November 7, 2014November 7, 2014 623267

#458307246 / gettyimages.com Rules allow defense to bring in late subs There was an interesting play in Week 9 that highlighted quick snap rules.Â In the Broncos-Patriots game, Tom Brady and company rushed the field on a fourth-and-one situation as the punt team sprinted off (video).Â The goal was to catch the