As I was starting to understand football more and more, I started to hear about NFL referees. It always amazed me how games were officiated by a third party. I wanted to know more about how are NFL referees assigned to games.
Well, I soon learned that these referees are not randomly assigned to games. There is actually quite a process for assigning referees to games. The Commissioner will assign seven referees each week from a pool of about 120 officials. But each referee is assigned to work during a specific part of the season or post-season. This helps to maintain consistency throughout the games that are officiated.
In total, there are 17 referees that are assigned to work the full year. These are the most highly skilled officials, the so-called ‘Grade A’ referees. To become one of these Grade A officials, you must have experience in NFL officiating, know the game and its rules, and be accurate in decision-making.
Referees are matched up with their assigned game the week before the scheduled match. But the actual crew of officials won’t be matched until a few days before the game with approval from the Commissioner. This will also be determined by the geographic location of the match.
The game assignments for referees are also evaluated from year to year. Officials are assigned based on their performance and results from the previous season. Performance is judged by how accurate decisions were as well as body language and presence on the field.
When a referee is assigned to a game, a few other important factors come into place. The referee will receive information from the Commissioner in regards to the teams they are officiating. These are the rules of the game and any special instructions the referee might need. The referee will also be examined by medical personnel to make sure they are fit to officiate the match and the location will be checked for any safety issues.
Having the referees be assigned to the games makes it important for them to be familiar with all the rules of the game. Each team has its own strategy and each game will require a different set of rulings. However, by having an assigned referee, it ensures that the rules are consistent and enforced fairly.
This is also an important factor in maintaining the integrity of the game and protecting the players from any potential harm or accidents. By having the referees assigned and well-versed in the rules, it allows them to make quick decisions and ensure that the game runs smoothly.
That being said, I think it’s amazing how well-known and respected NFL referees are. They play an important role in making sure the games are fair and that no one is harmed in the process. And I respect how seriously they take their job and how they do their best to ensure fairness and safety.