Jim Tunney

Tunney and Seeman do not advance to 2023 Hall of Fame final vote

by Mark Schultz - July 27, 2022July 27, 2022 0

Jim Tunney and his family and friends, and the family and friends of the late Jerry Seeman barely had three weeks to enjoy their nomination to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Today, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Coach/Contributor committee voted for the finalists for the 2023 class for the

Throwback to 1980: Officials call an illegal hideout foul in the Eagles-Vikings Divisional Playoff

History

by Mark Schultz - July 8, 2021May 19, 2022 1

In 1980, the Philadelphia Eagles played the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Veterans Stadium. With the game in doubt, the Eagles ran a fake punt where punter Max Runager threw a pass to John Sciarra for a first down. On the play, the Vikings were guilty of

Happy 90th birthday, Jim Tunney!

by Mark Schultz - March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 1

If you were a fan of the NFL in the 1970s and 1980s, and when there was a marquee game on TV, there was a strong chance that Jim Tunney was the referee. The "Dean of NFL Referees" and the first official to call consecutive Super Bowls, celebrates his 90th birthday

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

History

by Mark Schultz - January 4, 2019January 4, 2019 0

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

NFL takes a hit after four referee retirements

by Mark Schultz - July 13, 2018July 28, 2018 2

Embed from Getty Images Every generation of NFL officiating gives way to the next. This past offseason, we saw, very quickly and dramatically, one generation give way to the next. Referees Ed Hochuli, Gene Steratore, Terry McAulay and Jeff Triplette represent 88-years of experience at the referee position. That is 88-years

Hendi Ancich, former NFL umpire and replay official, dies at 80

Obituary

by Mark Schultz - January 5, 2018January 5, 2018 0

Hendi Andrew Ancich Sr., 1937-2017 Former NFL umpire Hendi Ancich died December 20, 2017. Ancich worked as a NFL official from 1982 - 1998. He wore number 115 on his uniform his entire career. Ancich was born on the island of Brac, off the coast of Yugoslavia in 1937. His family emigrated

Zebras out of uniform

by Mark Schultz - September 29, 2017October 10, 2017 0

This past weekend, NCAA referee Mike Defee and his crew worked in miserable conditions as The Air Force Academy hosted San Diego State (photo of crew in the downpour). Lightning halted the game for 88-minutes, then resumed with a near empty stadium. Defee's crew started in their regular uniform. But after

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

Several NFL officials have ties to the NCAA basketball tournament

Outside the Stripes

by Mark Schultz - March 22, 2014March 22, 2014 6

At least three have worked the Final Four Several officials work multiple sports from Pop Warner to the pros.Â There is quite a history of NFL officials working major college basketball.Â Currently, Gene SteratoreÂ (pictured)Â and Bill Vinovich work major college basketball.Â But they are just the current in a long line of

4 historic facts related to this year’s Super Bowl crew

News

by Mark Schultz - January 30, 2014 2

I enjoy historic aspects of NFL officiating and as we get ready to zebra watch in Super Bowl XLVIII here are some interesting nuggets regarding officiating in the Super Bowl. Field judge Scott Steenson sets the record for most years between return trips. Â Steenson worked Super Bowl XXXI, and makes his