The Immaculate Reception was not the first instant replay review

Anyone who appreciates NFL history knows about the Immaculate Reception -- the miracle play in the 1972 divisional playoff game between the Oakland Raiders and the host Pittsburgh Steelers. This is the game where the late Franco Harris caught a deflected pass and raced for the winning touchdown with five

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 1: L to XLI

The Football Zebras staff -- with the assistance of our affiliated forum, Behind the Football Stripes -- has examined the Super Bowls of years past for the work of the officials who, in a given year, attain the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for

Happy belated birthday to Ben Dreith

View image | gettyimages.com Former NFL referee still giving them the business at age 90 February 1, 2015 was a big day for former AFL and NFL referee Ben Dreith.  He celebrated nine decades on earth by watching Super Bowl XLIX.  Dreith, who lives in Denver, was profiled by a local television

Week 5 remainders

We have some leftover items from Week 5, so let's serve them up before their expiration dates pass. Bengals lost timeout Prior to a Bengals 3rd-and-goal situation, the crew stopped the clock for a game clock adjustment. When the game clock was stopped, and additional three seconds ticked off the play clock,

1st use of new rule might not be right use

Week 1: Texans at Chargers (video) Post updated: The league has stated the rule was incorrectly applied (see below). The Competition Committee looked at a specific instance of dangerous play at the request of players: the vulnerability of the center when he is performing a long snap for a field goal kick.

1978: Holy Roller play revises rules

https://youtu.be/aGffYc5eXnA Sept. 10, 1978 Raiders at Chargers Quarterback Ken Stabler deliberately (according to his own admission and to those who have eyes) fumbled the ball forward, and carnival-like antics by the Oakland Raiders propelled the ball towards an end-zone recovery. The game-winning touchdown over the San Diego Chargers counted as the clock expired.