official equipment

Officiating in the rain is mind over matter

Follow-up

by Mark Schultz - September 16, 2022September 16, 2022 0

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

Newer piece of equipment helps officials keep track of downs

Follow-up

by Mark Schultz - October 24, 2019 1

Rookie NFL umpire Terry Killens, easily won the "most photographed official" award last week, but one of those photos gave us a glimpse of a newer way some officials keep track of the downs. NFL officials traditionally use a simple piece of equipment to keep track of downs. They use an

NFL100: Before they were zebras, they were … candy canes?

by Mark Schultz - September 11, 2019 3

#NFL100: A Football Zebras feature series NFL officials didn't always wear black and white striped shirts. To commemorate the 100th NFL season, Football Zebras takes a look back at how the third team dressed for a game.Â No stripes to be found (1920-40) At the league's founding, the NFL required its officials to

NFL100: In 1979, the NFL renumbered its officials. After 3 years, they scrapped the failed plan

by Mark Schultz - June 20, 2019September 11, 2019 2

Forty years ago this fall, NFL officials had a radical new appearance. In 1979 the NFL put the referee in a different color cap, a new uniform design, and changed the way it issued officials' shirt numbers. But, by the end of the 1981 season, that numbering system was gone. What

Keeping up with the downs: Referee John Parry uses an old-school method for game administration

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

http://gty.im/1385217 Officials from pee-wee games to the Super Bowl all use a very simple piece of equipment to keep track of the downs. All officials wear an elastic band around their wrist and a loop attached to the band. The officials move the loop over their finger or fingers to show the

Officials used to use a gunshot to signal the end to a quarter or half

by Mark Schultz - December 21, 2018August 13, 2019 0

It seems strange today, but NFL officials used to fire a starter's pistol to end each quarter. It's a mechanic that dated back to the start of pro football up until the NFL discontinued the practice starting in 1994. When the NFL was in its infancy and up through the 1960s,

Wires and gadgets are part of the NFL official’s uniform

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - December 6, 2018December 6, 2018 1

NFL officials wear several pieces of equipment out on the field, draped around their neck, wrapped around their wrists and fingers and hooked on their belt. In the last 10 years, NFL officials are hooked up to several wireless devices to help them do their jobs. Every NFL official takes the

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

NCAA referee with the announcement of the year

by Mark Schultz - September 9, 2017September 10, 2017 0

Big 10 referee and Officiating Development Program official Don Willard made a mistake Saturday.Â He faced the wrong way when announcing a foul. It can happen. It has happened to the best, many times. But, the way he handled himself with a live microphone places him into nomination for referee announcement of

An expert working the finger whistle tonight

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - December 19, 2016December 14, 2016 7

Embed from Getty Images Â If you get the chance, watch umpire Jeff Rice (number 44) work the Monday Night Football game tonight. Rice uses a finger whistle and he is a maestro using the piece of equipment. Officials working with a finger whistle have to blow their whistle and then signal. Fellow