Tag: official retirement

Updated: One more official retires as the officiating season starts

by Mark Schultz - 1938

Editors Note: We originally reported two officials had left the field. It is very unusual to have conflicting information at this late stage. According to a source deemed more reliable than others, we have corrected our story to report that one official has left the field.  Football Zebras relied on

Breaking down the new NFL officiating hires

by Mark Schultz - 31153

Football Zebras was first to report the news on May 3 that the NFL hired 10 new officials. As we digest the news, here are a few things that I have noticed. Commitment to diversity The NFL continues to hire minority and female officials. Down judge Robin DeLorenzo (pictured) becomes the third woman

3 more officials retire, now totaling 6 this offseason

by Mark Schultz - 28189

Three more NFL officials have retired from the field, making a total of six officials that have retired in the 2021 off-season. Previously, Bart Longson, Tom Symonette and Ruben Fowler retired. After this weekend's mini-clinic comes news that back judge Steve Freeman, back judge Tony Steratore, and line judge Gary Arthur

3 NFL officials have retired so far

by Mark Schultz - 28879

Retiring officials sometimes leave their shoes on the field after their last game. Football Zebras has learned that officials Ruben Fowler, Tom Symonette and Bart Longson will not return to the National Football League in the 2021 season. Typically, the NFL does not announce why an official leaves the league, although

Today’s Pro Bowl the swan song for two NFL officials

by Mark Schultz - 24201

Two officials will end their career at today's Pro Bowl in Orlando. While Pro Bowl retirement games meant more when played in Hawaii, it will still be a special moment in Orlando this evening as umpire Jeff Rice and down judge Mike Spanier will work their final game. Mike Spanier Mike Spanier

New union contract contains a retirement incentive for veterans

by Mark Schultz - 16916

According to an ESPN report, the NFL will offer a retirement incentive to 22-officials with 20 or more years of experience, provided they retire before the start of the 2020 season.  While we don't expect every official to take the retirement incentive, the upcoming offseason could see the biggest exodus of

How the NFL grooms an official for the referee position

by Mark Schultz - 07269

In the past two seasons, we have seen seven NFL officials promoted to referee due to multiple white hat retirements. While we speculate on who will be the next referee promoted, the NFL actually has a Referee Training Program in place to identify, train, and mentor potential referees well before