Football Zebras

College football referee Mike Defee takes position in NFL front office

by Mark Schultz - April 17, 2020April 17, 2020 3

Big 12 referee Mike Defee, who has officiated every major bowl game, and who gained fame during the 2017 College Football National Championship game, is retiring from active officiating to take a position in the NFL front office. Defee's new job is to coach current NFL officials, specifically focusing on the

Future clouded for pass interference replay rule

2020 Rule Changes

by Mark Schultz - February 26, 2020 1

Don't expect the pass interference (PI) replay rule to survive as is for the 2020 season. And, it remains unclear if any sort of PI replay will be on the books this fall. ESPN reports that members of the NFL Competition Committee "remain skeptical" about the one-year experimental rule. Last year, aggrieved

NFL, officials reach a tentative labor agreement

News

by Mark Schultz - September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 0

No replacements. No Fail Mary. No angst. According to Pro Football Talk NFL and the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA) have reportedly reached a tentative labor argeement, or "agreement in principle" that will guarantee that the regular officials will continue to call the games. We don't yet know the details or length

Banks Williams, Super Bowl XXV official, has passed away

by Mark Schultz - July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 0

Banks Boothe Williams, 1932-2019 Banks Williams, an NFL back judge (the position name is now the field judge) from 1978 to 1994 passed away in April at the age of 86. Williams, a Texas native, wore uniform number 99 for most of his career. Wlliams got started in officiating in the 1960s,

Week 13 photo album, 2018

Photo Gallery

by Mark Schultz - December 4, 2018December 7, 2018 0

Courtesy of team photographers and Getty Images, here are NFL officials in action in Week 13. Click on a photo to begin the gallery. From Getty Images http://gty.im/1077230852 http://gty.im/1068190348 http://gty.im/1077498672 http://gty.im/1067884492

FJ Fritz Graf, veteran of 4 Super Bowls and Ice Bowl, passes away at 94

by Mark Schultz - December 4, 2017January 16, 2020 0

Frederick "Fritz" Graf, 1922-2017 Former NFL field judge, Fritz Graf, who called four Super Bowls, and was on the field for The Ice Bowl, died November 29, at the age of 94. At the time of his death, we think he was the oldest surviving official. Graf was a native of Akron,

Kickoff touchbacks will be at the 25 for another year

2017 rule changes

by Mark Schultz - September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images The NFL is extending a temporary rule this year that moves kickoff touchbacks to the 25. All other touchbacks (punts into and defensive recoveries into the end zone) will come out to the 20. This was an experimental rule for 2016, and the owners voted to extend that

Umpire Butch Hannah retires after 18 seasons

News

by Mark Schultz - May 14, 2017May 15, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images In a late offseason move, umpire Butch Hannah retired from the NFL according to multiple sources. Football Zebras does not know the reason Hannah left the league, but it has been indicated he initiated the move. His last game was the Raiders-Texans Wild Card Playoff game in January. Much like

The science of building good NFL crews

by Mark Schultz - May 2, 2017May 2, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images As NFL officials prepare for their mini-clinic in May, the NFL officiating office is building 17 officiating crews. Exiting senior vice president for officiating Dean Blandino will oversee the rest of the offseason (which ends May 15 for officials), so he has a say in the crew

VP of officiating: who WANTS this job?!

by Mark Schultz - April 15, 2017April 15, 2017 0

Embed from Getty Images Former vice president of officiating, Mike Pereira (pictured above), knew every Monday during the football season would be busy. In his book, After Further Review, Pereira wrote that he could predict what coaches would be calling and what they wanted to talk about. He had to field calls,