Football Zebras

NFL will make history with Monday night officiating crew

by Ben Austro - November 16, 2020November 17, 2020 2

Football Zebras exclusive What was an officiating milestone in the Super Bowl has been superseded multiple times in just three months of gametime since. The Super Bowl crew was the fourth time in NFL history that any regular or postseason game had a majority of the crew composed of minorities, and

27-yard fumble down the sideline is the Week 9 Call of the Week

by Ben Austro - November 15, 2020November 15, 2020 0

Fumbles near the sideline require extra concentration on the sideline, not only for a ball touching the sideline, but an out-of-bounds player touching the loose ball. Take that element of concentration, and stretch it across 27 yards of the field, and the methodical job by field judge Tom Hill and

A salute to the veterans in stripes

Profiles

by Ben Austro - November 11, 2020November 11, 2020 0

We recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff. http://gty.im/1190306201 LJ59 Rusty Baynes, U.S. Marine Corps, 1988-94 http://gty.im/1228501615 LJ44 SSgt. Frank LeBlanc, Texas Army National Guard, 1983-2004 http://gty.im/1183900979 FJ109 Dyrol Prioleau, U.S. Air Force, 1982-2005 http://gty.im/1182936234 SJ31 Tech Sgt. Mearl Robinson, U.S.

Javon Wims suspended for 2 games, which stands after losing his appeal

by Ben Austro - November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 0

Javon Wims, the Bears receiver who was ejected or fighting in Sunday's game against the Saints, has lost his appeal of a 2-game suspension. Wims started landing what would be described as haymakers if not for the fact that Saints cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was wearing a helmet. It appeared to be

A downed punt very near the goal line is the Call of the Week

by Ben Austro - October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 0

Side judge Eugene Hall and back judge Greg Meyer have a tight call near the goal line. Is it a touchback or downed at the 1? It's the Football Zebras Call of the Week for Week 6. https://streamable.com/tvyy23

NFL will not issue covid-19 forfeits, at least not directly

by Ben Austro - October 7, 2020November 27, 2020 0

Harsh sanctions could be handed down to teams that flout the NFL's coronavirus policies as outlined in a memo distributed to teams today. As the first three weeks of the season went as smoothly as could be expected during a pandemic, Week 4 spun into chaos as two games were

Umpire Terry Killens working the dead-ball period is the Call of the Week

by Ben Austro - September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 1

Sometimes, the Call of the Week is an exceptionally tight call in a big moment. But, many times good officiating can be seen on the margins. Umpire Terry Killens -- a linebacker in the NFL for 7 years -- relied on his player's instincts in his officiating the dead-ball period, ultimately

Racial milestone no longer a trivia item

News

by Ben Austro - September 19, 2020September 19, 2020 0

What was once a rare milestone at the Super Bowl in February has now become a commonality in the 2020 season. The all-star crew that worked Super Bowl LIV was the first time 5 African-American officials worked any NFL game, and only the fourth game ever -- regular or postseason --

Officiating assistants to monitor levels of piped-in crowd noise

News

by Ben Austro - September 18, 2020September 18, 2020 0

It was a full week of NFL games through mostly empty stadiums with seat covered in tarps or filled with cardboard cutouts. In 14 of the 16 stadiums, a modern NFL record was set for the lowest paid attendance -- 0. https://twitter.com/QuirkyResearch/status/1306654276530450432 Despite the empty cavernous stadiums, we still had piped-in crowd

Santi and Eaton team up for the Call of the Week

by Ben Austro - September 17, 2020September 17, 2020 0

In the first quarter of the Monday night game between the Steelers and Giants, field judge Aaron Santi and line judge Tom Eaton come together to quickly and decisively rule a catch at the sideline. Congratulations, Aaron and Tom. You have the first ever Football Zebras Call of the Week. https://streamable.com/2yh7md