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

NFLRA boss says crews calling what the league wants called

The NFL Referees Association, the officials' union, says people criticizing the officials have misplaced their ire. Scott Green, executive director of the NFLRA and a 23-year officiating veteran, says the league's officials are simply calling what the NFL wants called. Green spoke to NFL.com, the league's in-house news outlet.  The issue from

Torbert crew fails to enforce forward-fumble rule

In the Week 11, Thursday Night Football game between the Steelers and Titans, referee Ron Torbert and his crew failed to enforce the fourth down fumble rule at the end of the first half. With under a minute to go, Antonio Brown caught a pass, was hit and fumbled the ball

Zebras out of uniform

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

Fred Swearingen, referee for the Immaculate Reception, passes away

Frederick Swearingen 1921-2016 Former NFL referee and field judge Fred Swearingen, who presided over the Immaculate Reception, passed away Dec. 16, 2016, at the age of 95. Swearingen was a NFL field judge (now back judge) and referee from 1960 until 1980. A native of Ohio, Swearingen served in the Navy during

50 Super Bowl calls, Part 4: XX to XI

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, achieve the honor of the best of the best. While every team competes for