Tag: referee

How the NFL grooms an official for the referee position

by Mark Schultz - 0

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

Offense not allowed to quick-sub and quick-snap

by Mark Schultz - 6

#458307246 / gettyimages.com Rules allow defense to bring in late subs There was an interesting play in Week 9 that highlighted quick snap rules.  In the Broncos-Patriots game, Tom Brady and company rushed the field on a fourth-and-one situation as the punt team sprinted off (video).  The goal was to catch the

Brad Allen named crew chief in 1st NFL season

by Mark Schultz - 9

First rookie-season R since 1966 On the heels of the surprise announcement that Mike Carey is retiring from the NFL, Football Zebras can confirm that rookie official Brad Allen will call his first NFL season at the referee position.  To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a

Umpire position incubator for future NFL crew chiefs?

by Mark Schultz - 5

[Update: Brad Allen was moved to referee without having worked at the umpire position to fill a vacancy caused by referee Mike Carey's departure. The post as it originally appeared is below.] We know the NFL officiating roster for 2014.  The names have been announced, but one position assignment caught my

NFL hires five more officials

by Mark Schultz - 6

Four new hires have collegiate referee experience Football Zebras has learned the names of five more college officials hired by the NFL, and that there will be a total of eleven new officials in 2014. Alex Kemp, Brad Allen, Scott Novak, Bryan Neale and Brad Freeman have been hired by the NFL according

NFL to keep the clock rolling on QB sacks in 2014

by Mark Schultz - 3

2014 rule changes For years, the referee has signaled a quarterback sack with a whistle blast and a signal to stop the clock; however beginning with the 2014 season, the NFL will mandate that the clock keep running after a sack. Up through the 2013 season, the referee would stop the clock

NFL getting their stripes in a row for 2014

by Mark Schultz - 4

League has several shoes to fill in the offseason The Super Bowl is fast fading into the rear view mirror and we now enter what is called the "dark period" in regard to NFL officiating.  According to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association, there is

Former NFL referee and officiating supervisor, Jerry Seeman, dies at 77

by Mark Schultz - 1

Former HL, LJ, R worked two Super Bowls Jerry Seeman 1936-2013 Former referee and officiating supervisor, Jerry Seeman, died Sunday night, a half hour before his son, NFL line judge Jeff Seeman, (#45) worked the Broncos-Patriots Sunday Night Football game.  Jeff Seeman was informed of his father's death after the ball game. According to

Float like a butterfly…dodge like a ref

by Mark Schultz - 1

How NFL officials stay out of the way to preserve life and limb We've all seen it.  For the fans it is a funny sight but for anyone who has been knocked down by a football player always cringes when a football official gets knocked down.  The officials do not wear