Football Zebras

A shocking 3 officials miss all or parts of 3 games in Week 17

by Mark Schultz - January 4, 2022January 5, 2022 14415

In an unprecedented situation, three NFL officiating crews worked all or part of three games with six-person crews. To the best of our memories, we cannot recall two crews working an official down on one day, let alone three. Hochuli crew starts with six Down judge Ed Camp did not start Giants-Bears

Tony Corrente turns 70, a rare milestone for an active official

History
News

by Mark Schultz - November 12, 2021November 12, 2021 15165

Referee Tony Corrente celebrates his 70th birthday on November 12. In his 27th season, he is in small company of officials who were on the field into their 70s. Down judge Mike Spanier, who retired after the 2019 season, was 70 in his final season. And there aren't likely many

4 officiating observations from Conference Championship Weekend

by Mark Schultz - January 20, 2020January 20, 2020 06815

The crowds were excited and loud, but it was a pretty quiet weekend on the officiating front for Conference Championship weekend, thankfully.Â But there are always things to observe and learn from the officials. Here are a few things I saw. Even though the game is decided, it isn't over John Hussey's crew

4 Wild Card observations, 2019 post-season

by Mark Schultz - January 6, 2020January 6, 2020 59536

It was another memorable Wild Card weekend with two games going to overtime and several officiating observations. Here are four that stuck out to me. Alternates do more than spectate Give a gold star to Mark Steinkerchner for saving the crew on that crazy kickoff situation in Texas. Tony Corrente needed some

Maclin and Joyner fined for preseason ejection

News

by Football Zebras staff - August 29, 2016January 17, 2019 13523

http://prod.images.chiefs.clubs.nflcdn.com/image-web/NFL/CDA/data/deployed/prod/CHIEFS/assets/images/imported/KC/photos/clubimages/2016/08-August/tempKC_at_LA_017--nfl_mezz_1280_1024.jpg?width=960&height=720 Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin and Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner were ejected for fighting near the end of the first half of their Week 2 preseason game in Los Angeles (video). After an incomplete pass targeted a different receiver, the two appeared to exchange words before the situation escalated to a physical

Here’s why loose talk on Corrente’s mic isn’t a problem

by Mark Schultz - December 16, 2015July 6, 2017 54204

Embed from Getty Images Â It can be fun and games for the officials, too ... at the right time When you officiate, you have to find humor in the game. You have to, or you'd go insane with all of arguing, berating, second-guessing and dangerous situations on the field. Officials can't (and

A batted ball and a judgement call decide fortunes in Lions-Seahawks game

News

by Ben Austro - October 6, 2015October 6, 2015 297087

Week 4: Lions at Seahawks (video)So it is a Monday night, an early season game at Seattle's CenturyLink field. Lions driving for the north end zone. And that's when the Ghost of the Fail Mary had reared itself.Calvin Johnson -- not a stranger to the quirks of the rules --

NFL officiating exec David Coleman hired as new Pac-12 officiating boss

News

by Mark Schultz - April 29, 2015April 30, 2015 05633

The Pacific-12 Conference has hired NFL director of officiating David Coleman as its vice president of officiating -- a newly created position for the college conference.Â Coleman had been with the NFL in the officiating department since 2010. In a news release, the Pac-12 says Coleman will be responsible for directly

Tony Corrente returns to Baltimore where his life was saved

by Mark Schultz - December 14, 2014December 14, 2014 46108

View image | gettyimages.com Week 1 of the 2011 season was not going well for referee Tony Corrente and his crew.Â The California native and his six other partners worked the Ravens-Steelers game in Baltimore -- a heated rivalry then, as it is now.Â The Steelers and Ravens were determined to

Quick calls from ‘Monday Night Football’ Week 8

Calls
Week 8

by Ben Austro - October 28, 2014October 28, 2014 43516

#457964914 / gettyimages.com Impetus rule. Cowboys defensive back J.J. Wilcox intercepted a first-quarter pass in the end zone and then subsequently fumbled the ball out of bounds in the end zone (video). When a ball is dead in the end zone, it is either a touchdown, a safety, or a touchback.