3 observations from the Hall of Fame Game

Embed from Getty Images It is hard to watch a preseason game from start to finish, but the Hall of Fame Game is a chance to welcome the NFL back after a six month hiatus. After a turbulent off-season that saw many rule changes and other officiating challenges, here are three

NFL takes a hit after four referee retirements

Embed from Getty Images Every generation of NFL officiating gives way to the next. This past offseason, we saw, very quickly and dramatically, one generation give way to the next. Referees Ed Hochuli, Gene Steratore, Terry McAulay and Jeff Triplette represent 88-years of experience at the referee position. That is 88-years

Father’s Day crews

  One of the fun parts of being a dad is when a child wants to join the dad in an activity or hobby, or just wants to spend time together. I'm sure NFL officials are happy when their kids want to take up officiating. That happiness and pride, I'm sure,

Boger, Carey, Parry out of playoffs

In an attempt to narrow down potential assignments, Football Zebras has learned from multiple sources that last year's Super Bowl referee, Jerome Boger, did not receive a playoff assignment this season. Also not receiving an assignment are Mike Carey and John Parry. Missing the playoffs the year following a Super Bowl

NFL suspends umpire Ellison for one game

NFL Referees Association denounces Ellison suspension The NFL has suspended umpire Roy Ellison (#81) for one game for a "profane and derogatory" statement to the Washington Redskins'  Trent Williams. According to multiple reports, Ellison is supposed to have referred to Williams as "a garbage ass disrespectful motherfucker." In a statement, the NFL commented, NFL game officials

LJ Baynes keeps crew on no-TD call

Ravens at Broncos (video via Deadspin) 4th qtr | 12:35. On a night when Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws seven touchdowns -- first time anyone has done that since Joe Kapp in 1969 -- his teammate, Danny Trevathan, upstaged everything with an incredible lapse in judgement . Trevathan's return of an interception