Author: Ben Austro

Ben Austro is the editor and founder of Football Zebras and the author of So You Think You Know Football?: The Armchair Ref's Guide to the Official Rules (on sale now)

Santi and Eaton team up for the Call of the Week

by Ben Austro - 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

Hair extension of rule clarifies existing rule

by Ben Austro - 0

It could be said that a certain editorial change to the rulebook is splitting hairs, but it actually only clarifies existing rules. An editorial change was made to the 2020 NFL rulebook with the new text in bold at Rule 3-2-6: Touching the Ball refers to any contact with the ball. There

NFL mandates centerfield logos between the 40-yard lines

by Ben Austro - 1

Substitutions also affected by position of numerals Sometimes rules changes show up in a place that is least expected. In addition to the standard rules changes voted by owners each year, a few editorial changes are made to the rulebook, some of which are for clarity, while others are actual low-level

No more chains to be lost due to latest rules change

by Ben Austro - 0

It was a silly part of a feud between cornerback Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree, where Talib twice snatched a chain from Crabtree's neck. The NFL slipped in a rule that would have prevented this from happening again, although they were at least kind enough to wait for the year

2 officials successfully appeal offseason dismissal

by Ben Austro - 2

Football Zebras has learned that two of the officials who left the league after the 2019 season are returning to the roster in 2020. Field judges Joe Larrew and Steve Zimmer were listed as 2 of the 9 officials that left the field following the 2019 season. As is typical at