Football Zebras

Fred Wyant, NFL referee and line judge for 27 seasons, has passed away

by Mark Schultz - March 23, 2021June 7, 2021 04446

Fred Wyant, an all-American quarterback for the West Virginia University Mountaineers, and a NFL official from 1966 to 1992, died on March 20, at the age of 86. In his 27-year career, Wyant worked five playoff games on the field, four at referee: four divisionals and one wild card round. He

Officially, beards are in this season

by Mark Schultz - December 4, 2020December 4, 2020 38266

Â Have you noticed something different with NFL officials this year? This year, NFL officials have been sporting facial hair and down judge Sarah Thomas is wearing her hair in a ponytail, out the back of an adjustable official's hat. (Up until this season, she wore her hair pinned up under

4-time Super Bowl umpire Art Demmas passes away at 82

by Mark Schultz - August 7, 2016August 9, 2016 57473

Former NFL umpire Art Demmas died August 6 in Nashville at the age of 82, according to Mike Organ of The Tennessean. Demmas was originally hired by the American Football League and continued in the NFL beginning in 1970 after the two leagues merged.Born in St. Louis, Demmas earned fame

Suspending officials is uncommon in NFL

by Ben Austro - November 23, 2013December 31, 2019 014652

8 known suspensions of officials for on-field incidents The NFL rarely has suspended officials for their conduct on the field; although it is possible that some may have occurred without public knowledge, this list is complete for all reported suspensions. Also, there are two known cases of officials (not included

Playoff assignments a stressful time

by Mark Schultz - January 5, 2013January 6, 2013 14315

Officials used to worry about job security around playoffs When the regular season is over, the NFL officials wait to see whether they pack their gear away after Week 17 or if they will be awarded a playoff assignment.Â The NFL officiating department has several criteria on how they grade officials