Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from August 14, 2007 (Edited for clarity)
The Colorado Football Officials Association held its 2007 state-wide clinic on the last Saturday of July. Jerry Seeman, a former NFL Super Bowl-caliber official and later the supervisor of NFL officials, was a featured speaker at a breakout session. His topic was listed in the program as “Dead-ball Officiating.” His talk was based on an outline he created over ten years ago titled “The Ten Commandments for Officiating in the NFL.” Mr. Seeman gave a very interesting presentation laced with a big dose of energy, enthusiasm, and passion.
These commandments have been circulating in officiating circles and on the internet for several years now, and in fact, I used them as a topic for discussion at a crew meeting over eight years ago.
His first commandment is: “Thou shalt make Super Bowl calls only, no Woolworths calls.” Most of the readers of these notes won’t even remember Woolworths. It was a “Dime” store and a pretty big chain for that matter. Dime stores have had their day, but the intent of the commandment lives on.
Make calls that matter to the game. If it doesn’t matter, pass on it. Only make the “Super Bowl” calls that really matter to the game, not chinsey “nickel and dime” calls.
This is what we have been saying for years.
Make the call when it is so obvious that you can’t pass. False starts and encroachments where the defender jumps into the neutral zone are good examples of the “obvious.” These are not Super Bowl calls, but we must make them to maintain the integrity of the game.
Call fouls that occur at the point of attack, or fouls that keep defenders from getting to the point of attack. Call fouls that restrict receivers or create separation from defenders during pass plays. These fouls matter. These are Super Bowl calls.
Call fouls that are dangerous and could cause injury, no matter when or where they occur. Examples are spearing, blocks below the waist, chop blocks, clips, roughing the passer, late hits, and unnecessary roughness. These are Super Bowl calls.
Penalize unsporting behavior, especially by players who bait or taunt opponents. Hold coaches and other adults to a high standard of sportsmanship. That is the Super Bowl way.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s). (Choose all that apply.)
4/3 from the K-6. K88’s punt is blocked and does not cross the neutral zone. K88 recovers the ball in the end zone, and while standing in the end zone, completes a forward pass to eligible K44 at the K-20. K44 carries the ball to midfield where he is tackled inbounds.
- Illegal forward pass; the play results in a safety
- 1/10 for Team K at midfield
- The clock will start on the snap
- The clock will start on the ready for play
- 25-second play clock
- 40-second play clock
Review Rules 3-4-3c, 3-6-1a(2), 6-2-3