Throwback to Thanksgiving 1989: the first ‘bounty bowl’

The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have had an intense rivalry for over 50 years, with the Cowboys on the winning end for most of the first 30 years. By the late 1980s, the Cowboys were rebuilding the franchise with new ownership, coaching and front office personnel. The Eagles were

Fred Swearingen, referee for the Immaculate Reception, passes away

Frederick Swearingen 1921-2016 Former NFL referee and field judge Fred Swearingen, who presided over the Immaculate Reception, passed away Dec. 16, 2016, at the age of 95. Swearingen was a NFL field judge (now back judge) and referee from 1960 until 1980. A native of Ohio, Swearingen served in the Navy during

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 4: XX to XI

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

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 1: L to XLI

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

Week 1 Officiating Video: Pop-up, timeout, ball down

Dean Blandino, the NFL's vice president of officiating, began the season today by explaining calls in Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season in the weekly video for the media (download). Some highlights included:In overtime in St. Louis, the officials, according to Blandino, correctly ruled that there was a valid

The anatomy of an overturned call

View image | gettyimages.com There is a well-defined process to overturning a call This past weekend, the Lions-Cowboys playoff game was marked by the crew picking up a pass interference flag against the Lions, setting off a huge uproar.  Football officials have a set protocol that occurs before changing a call. How do