Detroit Lions fans were aghast and pundits hooted at Jeff Triplette’s crew during Week 14 as umpire Shawn Smith called an illegal hands to the face...
They may be good calls, questionable calls, or controversial calls. There are unusual rules interpretations or circumstances. There are moments where officials were tested, where judgements...
#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...
Brad Allen is the first official in almost 50 years to be placed in the referee position in his first NFL season.
[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...
[Editor’s note: In 2014, the participating NCAA conferences standardized the name from alternate official to center judge. This post refers to the terminology at the time...
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...
Since the umpire is in the backfield, I wondered if the umpire is now permitted make calls that historically fall within the referee's purview.
The NFL has ramped up its policy on avoiding concussions, and the policy has not excluded the referees. With high speed collisions involving the umpire position,...
This morning, Adam Schefter reported on ESPN that the Competition Committee is looking to recommend that umpires wear protective headgear. The umpire position on the officiating...