Author: Mark Schultz

Mark Schultz is a high school football official, freelance writer and journalist. He first became interested in officiating when he was six years old, was watching a NFL game with his father and asked the fateful question, "Dad, what are those guys in the striped shirts doing?"

Players are adapting to the taunting point of emphasis faster than expected

by Mark Schultz - 0

For 2021, the NFL Competition Committee issued a point of emphasis directing the officials to strictly flag a player for unsportsmanlike conduct if they taunt an opponent, through words and actions that disrespect or demean. At the time I predicted that players and coaches would adapt to the new emphasis point after

After a week of major errors, SEC officials need a bounce-back week

by Mark Schultz - 2

Last week was a bad one for officials in the Southeastern Conference. The Penn State-Auburn crew dropped a down. An "inadvertent signal" by an official in the Mississippi State-Memphis made for a right-but-wrong call. https://twitter.com/SECOfficiating/status/1439402225311354883 And, instant replay reversed call (incomplete to catch), but the ball was spotted at the wrong 45-yard line in

Controversy flares over taunting point of emphasis. As always, officials are stuck in the middle

by Mark Schultz - 1

This season, the NFL Competition Committee issued a point of emphasis to the game officials instructing them to strictly call a player for taunting -- language and actions that disrespect or demean an opponent. The first two weeks of the 2021 season has seen a spike in taunting fouls, leading

Week 2 photo gallery, 2021

by Mark Schultz - 0

With thanks to team photographers and Getty Images, here are photos of NFL officials on the field in Week 2. Click on a photo to start the gallery. Walt Coleman IV (Washington Football Team)Tony Josselyn (Carolina Panthers)Terrence Miles (Washington Football Team)Shawn Smith (Los Angeles Rams)Shawn Smith (Indianapolis Colts)Paul King (Chicago Bears)Ramon George