With thanks to team photographers and Getty Images, please enjoy photos that have officials in the frame. Note how the officials are carrying their electronic whistles (either tied to their belt loops or tied with a wrist lanyard). From team photographers (click on a photo to begin gallery): From Getty Images: Referee Adrian
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?"
Atlantic Coast Conference releases video featuring two officials
The Atlantic Coast Conference this week released a video highlighting the game officials. The 21-minute video centered around ACC head linesman Troy Gray and umpire Danny Worrell. A camera crew followed the officials as they prepared for last season's Louisville - Syracuse game. The production gives fans a view into the officials'
6 officiating things I’m watching in the 2020 NFL season
It's here. I never thought it would get here. Despite the 2020 covid-19 pandemic, we will start the 2020 NFL season Thursday. Here is what I'm looking for as I zebra-watch this season. 1. What will the officials do to protect themselves? I have already stated my concerns about how officials can properly
No more clock-milking skullduggery in 2020
Embed from Getty Images Starting this season, the NFL will not allow the offense to milk the clock in the fourth quarter by intentionally fouling. The New England Patriots invented the tactic. The Patriots got a taste of their own medicine during last year's wildcard playoff with the Tennessee Titans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTsvc9pkZ04 Clock starts on
Ed Merrifield, Super Bowl XXVI field judge, passes away
https://gty.im/79552728 Edwin J. "Ed" Merrifield, 1932 - 2020 Ed Merrifield, a Super Bowl and conference championship official, passed away this past February 16. A Missouri native, Merrifield worked in the NFL from 1975 to 1994 on crews lead by Tommy Bell, Jerry Markbreit, Bob McElwee, Gene Barth, Jim Tunney, Howard Roe, and Ron
Happy birthday, Bob McElwee
https://gty.im/714140 Congratulations to Bob McElwee on his 85th birthday today! McElwee was a NFL line judge and referee from the 1976-2002 seasons. McElwee wore number 95 for most of his career. He was a line judge from 1976-79 learning under referees Jim Tunney and Ben Dreith. The NFL expanded crews in
NFL officials have until August 13 to opt out of season
The NFL and the NFL Referees Association, the officials' union, have negotiated the working conditions for the 2020 season. The NFLRA leadership will meet with rank-and-file members on Monday to discuss the details of the agreement. According to a news release, the officials have until August 13 to decide if they will
No NFL preseason games will hurt officials
Socially distant officiating: Just how is this going to work?
Throwback to the finest officiating sequence I’ve ever seen
I remember several post-season classic games and the officiating that goes with such games. It is hard after a year or two for me to remember a classic regular-season game where the officiating actually enhanced the quality of the contest. But, there is one regular-season game that I remember almost 26-years