Football Zebras was first to report the news on May 3 that the NFL hired 10 new officials. As we digest the news, here are a few things that I have noticed. Commitment to diversity The NFL continues to hire minority and female officials. Down judge Robin DeLorenzo (pictured) becomes the third woman
Follow-up
5 Super Bowl LVI officiating observations
The longest NFL season ever has come to an end with a compelling Super Bowl. Here are five officiating observations from another classic game. 1. Another nice coin toss https://streamable.com/hho2ii Over the years I've railed against the crush of media and hangers-on for the Super Bowl coin toss. Last year, the coin toss
7 officiating observations from Conference Championship Weekend
5 officiating notes from the divisional playoffs
What a weekend of NFL football! I've watched the NFL since 1978, and this is the best playoff weekend I can remember, featuring some of the most exciting games in NFL history. Here are five officiating observations from the weekend. 1. No picky fouls https://streamable.com/t8acq5 I cannot recall a penalty flag this weekend where
5 officiating observations from Wild Card weekend
Six wild card games in three days, including a triple header one day! Whew! Six crews, 42 on field officials, and lots of calls. Here are a few thoughts about the weekend. 1. Mistakes happen no matter the experience The Raiders-Bengals game featured an erroneous whistle (formerly called an inadvertent whistle). While
Breaking down Wild Card assignments by the numbers
A shocking 3 officials miss all or parts of 3 games in Week 17
In an unprecedented situation, three NFL officiating crews worked all or part of three games with six-person crews. To the best of our memories, we cannot recall two crews working an official down on one day, let alone three. Hochuli crew starts with six Down judge Ed Camp did not start Giants-Bears
2 unusual penalties on the same play: illegal hideout and sideline interference
Players are adapting to the taunting point of emphasis faster than expected
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
Instant replay mistake in AFC Championship Game confirmed
Sources tell Football Zebras that the NFL has internally acknowledged that replay incorrectly reviewed whether or not Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen stepped out of bounds before he threw a pass in Sunday's AFC Championship Game. https://streamable.com/c7ex0s Referee Bill Vinovich ruled that Allen had stepped out of bounds before he threw the