Football Zebras

Honoring current NFL officials who served their country

Profiles

by Ben Austro - November 11, 2018 0

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the armistice to end the war to end all wars, we recognize with profound respect all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff. Click or tap an image above to open as

Walt Coleman joins officiating’s exclusive 30 Club

by Ben Austro - August 1, 2018August 2, 2018 2

The league's own press materials refer to him as "the dean of NFL officials." Referee Walt Coleman will take the field for his 30th NFL season when he blows the whistle to start Thursday's Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. In doing so, he will have reached a milestone

NFL promotes 2 second-generation referees: Shawn Hochuli and Alex Kemp

by Mark Schultz - March 6, 2018March 6, 2018 2

Fathers have passed the NFL white hat to the sons, one directly and one posthumously. As Football Zebras noted last month, Alex Kemp seemed to be the frontrunner to be promoted to referee upon the retirement of Jeff Triplette. We also noted that back judge Shawn Hochuli was in the mix,

A salute to those officials who served our country

Profiles

by Ben Austro - November 11, 2017November 11, 2017 0

We recognize all those who have served our country on this day, and we salute the veterans on the NFL officiating staff. Click or tap an image above to open as slides. Click the arrows below to navigate. From Getty Images: BJ38 Greg Yette (USA Infantry) RO Tom Sifferman (Vietnam War, USA) RO 1st Lt.

Referees union is honoring 3 retiring officials

Profiles

by Ben Austro - March 20, 2017 1

The National Football League Referees' Association announced it is honoring three officials who retired at the end of the 2016 season: head linesman John McGrath, line judge Tony Veteri, and side judge Bob Waggoner. All three will be recognized at the union's annual meeting in April. The statement released by the

Video: Former umpire Bob Boylston reflects on his career

Profiles

by Mark Schultz - January 6, 2017January 6, 2017 0

Two years ago, former umpire-turned-replay-official Bob Boylston sat down with NFL Films to reflect on his career. Boylston came to the NFL from the SEC in 1978. He wore number 101 for most of his career (except from 1979-81 when he wore number five when there was a different numbering system)

Blakeman takes #HotRef in stride, appears on ‘Today’ and ‘Access Hollywood Live’

by Ben Austro - February 9, 2016February 10, 2016 10

Super Bowl 50 referee Clete Blakeman has lead a relatively obscure existence in the NFL, with an occasional reference here, although I've even admitted in the past to be "riding high on the Clete Blakeman bandwagon." The first sign that something was piquing the interest of fans on Sunday was when

Burl Toler blazed a trail 50 years ago

Profiles

by Mark Schultz - February 7, 2016November 12, 2016 5

Before Al Jury and Bob Beeks were assigned to five Super Bowls. Before Johnny Grier was promoted to referee. Before Mike Carey headed a Super Bowl crew. Before all of them, one man blazed a trail for them. Burl Toler. In 1965, the NFL hired Burl Toler into the NFL as a

Happy birthday Jerry Markbreit

Profiles

by Mark Schultz - March 23, 2015March 25, 2015 0

View image | gettyimages.com Most famous referee of the 1980s and 1990s turns 80 years old Before there was Ed Hochuli, there was Jerry Markbreit. The former NFL referee from 1976 to 1998 turned 80 years old today. Markbreit got his start officiating while a college student at the University of Illinois. He

Super Bowl assignment a triumph for Vinovich on many levels

by Mark Schultz - January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 6

View image | gettyimages.com Referee overcomes life threatening illness and long layoff You might excuse Bill Vinovich if he feels a little extra emotional on Sunday. Eight years ago, the thought of working a Super Bowl was the last thing on the referee's mind. In April 2007, Vinovich's goal was to survive