Tag: Bears

Officiating in the rain is mind over matter

by Mark Schultz - 0459

The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers played in wet, sloppy conditions at Soldier Field during Week One. While it was fun to play in (especially for the winning Bears), the officials had to push it out of their minds. Water, water everywhere https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1570417595869794306 Officials can power through drizzle or mist, but when

Throwback to 1986 – Jerry Markbreit’s only NFL ejection

by Mark Schultz - 04309

While many television networks are continuing to re-air feature games with memorable performances, Football Zebras is going behind the stripes to highlight some throwback moments from NFL officials. Let's go back to November of 1986. Jerry Markbreit's crew was assigned a Bears-Packers game at Soldier Field in Chicago. The season before, the

Eagles and Bears meet in the playoffs 30 years after the Fog Bowl

by Mark Schultz - 04727

This weekend the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Chicago to play the Bears in the NFC playoffs. Thirty years and a week ago, the Eagles and Bears played in the very same stadium in the most bizarre weather-related game in NFL history. The Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles didn't like each

Most officials don’t watch the ball during a play

by Mark Schultz - 08575

If you want to watch, buy a ticket. -- back judge Stan Javie to rookie official Jerry Bergman Sr., in 1966.   You might be surprised how little time NFL officials spend watching the ball during a play. When the offense snaps the ball, where do non-officials' eyes go? The camera, announcers and

Riveron explains Bears’ TD overturn, predecessors skeptical

by Mark Schultz - 26860

NFL vice president for officiating, Alberto Riveron, explained why he overturned Zach Miller's touchdown catch on replay, but that explanation did not convince former officiating boss Mike Pereira. Riveron explained (see Week 8 video) that as Miller's first leg landed (the one horribly injured), the ball was moving. "Now we know

Hochuli crew has first ejections of the year

by Rich Madrid - 06814

Two players were ejected from the Bears-Titans preseason game on Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.  The ejections came at 10:51 in the 2nd quarter (video) and involved an altercation after the whistle between Titans left guard Quinton Spain and Bears defensive tackle Jaye Howard. Video appears to show Spain

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 4: XX to XI

by Football Zebras staff - 610891

The Football Zebras staff -- with the assistance of our affiliated forum, Behind the Football Stripes -- has examined the Super Bowls of years past for the work of the officials who, in a given year, achieve the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for

Pages: 1 2

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 1: L to XLI

by Football Zebras staff - 111500

The Football Zebras staff -- with the assistance of our affiliated forum, Behind the Football Stripes -- has examined the Super Bowls of years past for the work of the officials who, in a given year, attain the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for

Pages: 1 2

Officials hate to miss cheap shots and unsportsmanlike acts

by Mark Schultz - 93712

Fortunately, most flagrant actions do not escape cameras The NFL most recently handed out two punishments for flagrant acts that were not flagged on the field.  Ndamukong Suh was fined $70,000 (initially suspended one game but overturned on appeal, but don't get me started on that) for stepping on Packers quarterback