NFL has several options for Steratore’s replacement

NFL officiating was center stage last week as two of its top referees, Terry McAulay and Gene Steratore, abruptly announced their retirement from the field in order to become rules analysts on network TV. At the end of the 2017 season, Jeff Triplette and Ed Hochuli retired. This is the first

Happy New Year, NFL referee style

Embed from Getty Images   There is no crystal ball drop. The year doesn't switch. There are  no confetti guns. But for NFL officials, May 15 is a New Years celebration.   This year's off-season was a little different, as this was the first one that featured full-time officials. Those full timers participated in

New rules are the focus of weekly media tape

NFL 2016 Preseason Officiating Video

The NFL's vice-president of officiating, Dean Blandino, has returned with his first officiating video of the year. The NFL's preseason video focuses on rule changes and points of emphasis related to player safety. Points mentioned in the video include: All two-man high-low blocks are now illegal. See our earlier post on the

Referee and officiating assignments, preseason week 2

Embed from Getty Images This week, the NFL will have eight officials on the field for all games. The eighth position is the middle judge, which will be evaluated for potential implementation in 2017 or a future season.In addition, some college officials that are on the league’s development squad are getting

NFL developing 8th official in 2nd preseason week

The NFL is continuing its evaluation of an eighth officiating position in the second week of preseason, and there are indications that the permanent addition is on the horizon. The announcement for the eighth official was posted on the Football Operations website on Tuesday. The position under trial is termed the

Jerome Boger leads Hall of Fame game crew

The 97th season league history begins Sunday from the place where the seed was first planted -- Canton, Ohio. Culminating the enshrinement festivities of the 2016 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday will be the Hall of Fame game between the Packers and Colts, beginning at 8

More officials in the development pipeline, as NFL expands training program

Embed from Getty Images   29 individuals take part in on-field audition This year, the NFL has accepted 29 developmental officials in its annual preseason training program, up from the 21 slots open in the previous three seasons the program has been run. This practice squad for officials was known as the advanced

Video: Jabir Walker talks about working CFL games

Field judge Jabir Walker is working Canadian Football League preseason games as part of the NFL-CFL Officiating Development Program. Walker is joined by colleagues Dale Shaw (field judge), Dave Meslow (side judge) and rookie official Alan Eck (side judge) as NFL officials who are working CFL games this summer. Later