As someone that’s been a referee, umpire, etc, it’s a very difficult job. It’s all hate and no love from the fans, players and coaches. I can’t imagine the pressure of pro level refs.
I would disagree that it is "all hate and no love". There are calmer heads where I officiate. Its not love all the time but definitely not hate all the time.
Frankly I love what the UFL does with broadcasting the conversations regarding close calls It gives transparency and you understand what the referees are seeing. I think that makes them seem a lot more fair.
Respect my ass!!! When they clearly see a penalty right in front of their face and they don't throw a flag, bullshit! Not to mention when they just throw a random flag for no reason and call a bullshit penalty that completely destroys a team's momentum, bullshit!!! The NFL couldn't pay me a million dollars to officiate a game, and even if I did, I would do a fuck of a better job than these morons!
People will never appreciate and give refs the credit they deserve for how difficult and nuanced their duty really is. They have faithfully performed the most thankless job in all of professional sports and are almost only ever mentioned when it is in a negative context like when the call on the field was incorrect, etc.
The NFL has placed a lot of emphasis on trying to get the human element, the personality, of its players out front and center. It's mostly a matter of trying to appeal to a younger generation that really wants individual authenticity and not see these guys as chess pieces. It seems like maybe they ought to do the same with the refs. Let these guys have a marketing department or someone who runs social media profiles on them to show people the human being behind the referee. On the other hand, MLB has a major problem on it's hands with its officials. That's a culture of no accountability and arrogance where the quality of job they do seems not to be their highest priority. I think this video, for me as a fan of both NFL and MLB, shines a huge spotlight on the commitment to excellence that NFL officials have compared with the lack of accountability that the MLB umpires demonstrate.
Having called high school and ACC Scrimmages, people have no clue how hard this is. Split second decisions that happen which take total concentration. It is a huge job. People think they have favorites, they can't and if they do they will not last.
The best “hot mic” I ever heard was a game I was at when the white hat said “I hope this doesn’t go into overtime I gotta pee.” Ten thousand people in the arena and they all heard it
We may give referees a lot of shit (some of it justified, some of it not), but we need to keep one thing in mind: at the end of the day, they're only human
@@aarondonald1611it's because you can't just think of EVERYBODY as "only human." Anyone in any profession is expected to be an EXPERT at what they do, which makes mistakes a BIG deal.
Nfl throwback ur doing a great job showing of the long and interesting history of American football (sorry for calling it that) to a guy in sweden who never whould have seen it otherwise!
Love these comments from those whom have NEVER officiated a game and don’t have the intelligence to know what they DONT know. Keep officiating with a beer in one hand and a remote in the other
Hocholi (s/p) is the only referee name im aware of and have been since i was a kid. I believe the father had been the ref for my broncos vs rhe packers in the 98 SB? I remember, even at that young age, being thankful we had such a great game called and that it was fair and there were no calls that ruined it as my whole family believed we lost to horrible calls made during the playoffs in the previous seasons. Im glad the son has taken the torch and is doing everything he can to make the profession as optimized as possible.
Always wanted to be a ref, not a player. Hats off to those guys, its a lot harder than many people realize along with the fact that everyone hates you.
Unpopular opinion: I love refs/umpires. They are committed pros. for decades. The irony (but idiots don't get irony) is that fans complain, we get video replay, AND they still complain. Technology cannot stop complaining. You thought cameras would make it perfect?
You gotta remember that we watch with our 4k TVs looking at it from all angles. There is only 7 refs on the field accounting for 22 players. Its hard for them to catch everything. Then when rules have it set up where they cant correct certain things it forces them to be right on first glance.
Blows my mind that with this much prep and tech that elementary calls are still blatantly missed. Even the announcers are starting to speak freely about it. Week 12 Bills vs. Eagles comes to mind. I think the officials on the field have a tough enough job, mistakes happen. But when 3+ angles of the same play are available and the review center still blows it, you gotta wonder.
I think people who complain about NFL officiating on social media should be forced to be the head referee for an NFL game involving teams they don't root for with no training of any kind. Then, they'll know what it's like to be a ref.
I find it so interesting that at 32:14 they're using an xbox controller to control the replay system. Not to say this is a bad thing but its truly an innovative approach
I think this video and the big piece Peter King did in 2014 following Gene Steratore's crew for a week are the best illustrations to what really happens behind the scenes. Every time a fan or NFL reporter or analyst says NFL officials ought to be full time, they need to watch this. They ARE full time.
This was an incredibly interesting video. This gives insight into what these men and women give to the game. It was eye opening to see just how much prep and time they give toward being the best, most professional crew. I love how they show the interactions between the crew themselves and the players/coaches. I look forward to seeing a different aspect of the game now.
BTW everyone watching this. They didn't mention that refs are PART TIME and have other jobs usually. The NFL makes enough money to have a full-time group of refs that use the offseason to improve officiating.
That's such a huge thing, people complain about how games seem rigged now a days but if the league really wants to prove that, why don't they pay their referees full time?
People who talk about football in their lives have at least once handled a ball, but all those who criticize officials have never refereed a game in their lives.
A lot of hateful comments in this comment section. I bet 99% of those people would never be able to officiate a game let alone try to be one. The scrutiny and constant backlash officials get is more than any other job besides the president. You always will make someone upset. They are human just like we are. We all make mistakes, so give them a break. It’s only a game. If you take it too serious, maybe you need to get a life
It's not hateful we're talking about a GAME. Criticizing the reffing does not equal hate. Jesus dude lol. I'm sure these refs are the coolest dudes off the field, but that's not what this is about
It's not hate! It's called being truthful! We're calling them out for their bullshit!!! Hate, not at all! Not all officials make bullshit calls and ruin games! When the officials are actually competent and do their jobs, there's no need to call them out for anything! When they make the right call, regardless of whether we like it or not, it's the right call! Try again pal!
@@foxboy72006 so it’s only the “right” call if you say so? Haha man y’all are funny.. think the world evolves around you. Sounding like a modern feminist woman 😂😂
I'd still love to see more transparency by the officiating crew in the NFL like has been seen in the spring leagues. Even if nothing shady is going on like some people believe (such as with ties to gambling), having clear and consistent rulings for the audience to understand the game is critical, as well as good for building trust and ensuring the air of competition is strong as opposed to being more of an entertainment product like the WWE. On the case of it being difficult, there have to be reasonable ways to make the job easier, using things like replay and sensors and all sorts of currently prohibited innovations which would improve the game, but are left out for sake of tradition (see: the first in-helmet radios).
Some of you may remember I believe it was the 2013 season when the NFL had to use replacement refs for the preseason and for the first 3 weeks of the regular season. Some of these guys only ever officiated high school games, and then found themselves in the NFL. It was an absolute circus. The entire country were begging for the real refs back, so much so that there is a video if Gene Staratore walking onto the field pregame in Baltimore for the Thursday night game Week 4, so the first game back with the real refs and the crowd started cheering for him, and he stopped and gave everyone a wave!
I’m blind! I’m deaf! I want to be a ref! Seriously though the work these guys do is amazing. Affectionately known as “stripes” at least in the sport I play (hockey) they not only enforce rules but keep everyone safe! Mad respect!
Pro ref propaganda! j/k i'll take a look at this at a later point. It's actually a good thing to show just how stressful and crazy a job of being an NFL official can be.
If you thought the players’ union was powerful, the referees’ union is even more powerful. Players are released or sent to the minors, coaches and managers are fired and workers are laid off or fired. A football referee’s job is a difficult one, but once you’re in the club, you’re in until you decide to retire.
33:23 That means 42% of the time when the play was reviewed, the officials on the field; got it WRONG. That's about 8 times a week, including all plays from all games for that week. 334 occurrences in 2023 /18 weeks /42%.
While people talk about 4K and slo Mo creating controversial calls I also look at the ability to pause the image. Delay of game and holding look very bad in still images, but they are rules that are meant to be called in real time
Actually I really admire the NFL for being a frontrunner in giving so many jobs for the many visualy impaired in our society who would otherwise not have a chance at gainful employment
Hmmm, let's see. 121 NFL officials each week trying to contend with roughly 2000 hot-house orchids known as players, coaches and owners and several million hyped-up, adrenalin-rushed, mostly inebriated fans while they alone have to be rational and level-headed. Kind of like control rods in a nuclear plant.
Honestly I do have to respect the refs that call a fair penalty on a home team in front of a packed crowd of angry fans. Even if you have security, you are putting the integrity of the game over your safety
Since all scoring plays are reviewed, why not allow the review process to look at certain penalties that were not called be considered if they would have had a direct impact on the play. Get it right. GET IT CORRECT
What the hell was that guy doing playing madden in the officials booth??? Do they simulate the games on madden while the real game in going on something…how could that help with replays in any way?? I don’t get it!!
I know we rag on the officials all the time but I really do appreciate the job they do, it's not easy
forgive me for giving a like when it was at 69😣
I appreciate them when they do their job...correctly.
@philipj.sherman2987 which is about 25% of the time give or take!
As someone that’s been a referee, umpire, etc, it’s a very difficult job. It’s all hate and no love from the fans, players and coaches. I can’t imagine the pressure of pro level refs.
Never!!
I would disagree that it is "all hate and no love". There are calmer heads where I officiate. Its not love all the time but definitely not hate all the time.
@@briandow2974 I can agree with that.
Because every pro sport is now rigged even if it’s not Refs or Umpires just how the game is evolving now
Frankly I love what the UFL does with broadcasting the conversations regarding close calls
It gives transparency and you understand what the referees are seeing. I think that makes them seem a lot more fair.
This gives you a lot more respect for how hard the game is for the referees and make the correct call for the nfl game
Respect my ass!!! When they clearly see a penalty right in front of their face and they don't throw a flag, bullshit! Not to mention when they just throw a random flag for no reason and call a bullshit penalty that completely destroys a team's momentum, bullshit!!! The NFL couldn't pay me a million dollars to officiate a game, and even if I did, I would do a fuck of a better job than these morons!
Fraud!!!!!
People will never appreciate and give refs the credit they deserve for how difficult and nuanced their duty really is. They have faithfully performed the most thankless job in all of professional sports and are almost only ever mentioned when it is in a negative context like when the call on the field was incorrect, etc.
The NFL has placed a lot of emphasis on trying to get the human element, the personality, of its players out front and center. It's mostly a matter of trying to appeal to a younger generation that really wants individual authenticity and not see these guys as chess pieces. It seems like maybe they ought to do the same with the refs. Let these guys have a marketing department or someone who runs social media profiles on them to show people the human being behind the referee.
On the other hand, MLB has a major problem on it's hands with its officials. That's a culture of no accountability and arrogance where the quality of job they do seems not to be their highest priority. I think this video, for me as a fan of both NFL and MLB, shines a huge spotlight on the commitment to excellence that NFL officials have compared with the lack of accountability that the MLB umpires demonstrate.
Stop. Refs have had zero accountability
Having called high school and ACC Scrimmages, people have no clue how hard this is. Split second decisions that happen which take total concentration. It is a huge job. People think they have favorites, they can't and if they do they will not last.
The best “hot mic” I ever heard was a game I was at when the white hat said “I hope this doesn’t go into overtime I gotta pee.” Ten thousand people in the arena and they all heard it
Hahaha 😂 that is awesome. Reminds us of the humanity someone like a referee has. The playes, ref crew, and fans all lace up our shoes the same way.
Man these explained videos are some of the best videos I’ve ever seen
Lowkey bingewatching them rn!
Yes!
We may give referees a lot of shit (some of it justified, some of it not), but we need to keep one thing in mind: at the end of the day, they're only human
Exactly bruh. Plus, NFL offense and defense is dramatically evolving, which could make it hard for referees
This used to be my go to answer BUT
now that gambling has been implemented into the NFL being “human” isn’t enough
@@FracturedImageif you care that much, then dont gamble
That should be how people think of everything lol what kind of comment is this?
@@aarondonald1611it's because you can't just think of EVERYBODY as "only human." Anyone in any profession is expected to be an EXPERT at what they do, which makes mistakes a BIG deal.
Nfl throwback ur doing a great job showing of the long and interesting history of American football (sorry for calling it that) to a guy in sweden who never whould have seen it otherwise!
Love these comments from those whom have NEVER officiated a game and don’t have the intelligence to know what they DONT know. Keep officiating with a beer in one hand and a remote in the other
Good video NFL Throwback!
Idea for a video: Do a list of the best and worst teams to lose in the conference championship game round.
You guys really gotta do a series summarizing each decade of the NFL at some point.
NFL Throwback could make an hour-long documentary about the history of hashmarks and it would be great.
It’s amazing to know how much effort goes into officiating the NFL. This video has definitely given me a much different outlook on the officials. 👍
Hocholi (s/p) is the only referee name im aware of and have been since i was a kid. I believe the father had been the ref for my broncos vs rhe packers in the 98 SB? I remember, even at that young age, being thankful we had such a great game called and that it was fair and there were no calls that ruined it as my whole family believed we lost to horrible calls made during the playoffs in the previous seasons.
Im glad the son has taken the torch and is doing everything he can to make the profession as optimized as possible.
Your UA-cam Channel Is Number #1 NFL Throwback
Always wanted to be a ref, not a player. Hats off to those guys, its a lot harder than many people realize along with the fact that everyone hates you.
Only job in the world where it’s acceptable to suck at your job and get rewarded.
What a fantastic video. This honestly changed my perspective on refereeing
Unpopular opinion: I love refs/umpires. They are committed pros. for decades.
The irony (but idiots don't get irony) is that fans complain, we get video replay, AND they still complain. Technology cannot stop complaining. You thought cameras would make it perfect?
Refs used to be sports writers?!?! That's amazing and so bizarre nowadays lol
A lot of them are lawyers nowadays
Pretty cool view into things behind the scenes
You gotta remember that we watch with our 4k TVs looking at it from all angles. There is only 7 refs on the field accounting for 22 players. Its hard for them to catch everything. Then when rules have it set up where they cant correct certain things it forces them to be right on first glance.
I don't care if there's 7 of them, if they're blind, deaf, paraplegic, diabetic or what, Saints vs Rams 2018 is inexcusable.
pretty sure the ref that made that call was fired
They should have 10 or more. Not like they don't have money for it.
Only? They could have more you know, but don't. Wonder why........ref union
@@aarondonald1611 there is no ref union. this isnt baseball
Blows my mind that with this much prep and tech that elementary calls are still blatantly missed. Even the announcers are starting to speak freely about it. Week 12 Bills vs. Eagles comes to mind. I think the officials on the field have a tough enough job, mistakes happen. But when 3+ angles of the same play are available and the review center still blows it, you gotta wonder.
gives you a lot more respect for how hard the game is for the referees and make the correct call for the nfl game
never knew how complicated an NFL referees' job is!
I think people who complain about NFL officiating on social media should be forced to be the head referee for an NFL game involving teams they don't root for with no training of any kind. Then, they'll know what it's like to be a ref.
Refs don't get training? Wtf are you talking about? They train all the time and still suck at their jobs.
People ask me what should I do when I referee my first game.
"Have fun and don't suck"
MLB officials should take notes on how humble and personable these guys are
I find it so interesting that at 32:14 they're using an xbox controller to control the replay system. Not to say this is a bad thing but its truly an innovative approach
no need to reinvent the wheel
That's what we use for controlling our planetarium
I've heard they're good for piloting submarines
Every fan, I take that back, everyone involved with the game on the field should watch this. Eye-opening.
I think this video and the big piece Peter King did in 2014 following Gene Steratore's crew for a week are the best illustrations to what really happens behind the scenes. Every time a fan or NFL reporter or analyst says NFL officials ought to be full time, they need to watch this. They ARE full time.
Shawn Hochuli is a spitting image of his father Ed (both get air time here).
McNally is the most marine looking dude I've ever seen
In the 2010’s it was being a Pats fan. Now it’s being a Chiefs fan 😤😤
Chiefs O line gets away with murder in the playoffs
Excellent show! Interesting, informative, and educational. Thanks, @NFLVault, for posting and happy holidays.
This was an incredibly interesting video. This gives insight into what these men and women give to the game. It was eye opening to see just how much prep and time they give toward being the best, most professional crew. I love how they show the interactions between the crew themselves and the players/coaches. I look forward to seeing a different aspect of the game now.
BTW everyone watching this. They didn't mention that refs are PART TIME and have other jobs usually. The NFL makes enough money to have a full-time group of refs that use the offseason to improve officiating.
That's such a huge thing, people complain about how games seem rigged now a days but if the league really wants to prove that, why don't they pay their referees full time?
People who talk about football in their lives have at least once handled a ball, but all those who criticize officials have never refereed a game in their lives.
I have a new level of respect for NFL officials being able to handle their job really well and professionally.
A lot of hateful comments in this comment section. I bet 99% of those people would never be able to officiate a game let alone try to be one. The scrutiny and constant backlash officials get is more than any other job besides the president. You always will make someone upset. They are human just like we are. We all make mistakes, so give them a break. It’s only a game. If you take it too serious, maybe you need to get a life
I couldn’t agree with you more. Haven’t we all forgotten in this recession that it’s just a game?
It's not hateful we're talking about a GAME. Criticizing the reffing does not equal hate. Jesus dude lol. I'm sure these refs are the coolest dudes off the field, but that's not what this is about
It's not hate! It's called being truthful! We're calling them out for their bullshit!!! Hate, not at all! Not all officials make bullshit calls and ruin games! When the officials are actually competent and do their jobs, there's no need to call them out for anything! When they make the right call, regardless of whether we like it or not, it's the right call! Try again pal!
@@foxboy72006 so it’s only the “right” call if you say so? Haha man y’all are funny.. think the world evolves around you. Sounding like a modern feminist woman 😂😂
I love sh*t like this, this type of insight
man... I live in the wrong side of the USA/MEX border to be aref but the video showed me what beena ref could be and made me want it more XD
I started officiating a couple years back! I love it and wish I did it earlier! I would tell anyone to give it a try if you love the game
As a high school football official I am now fired up for the upcoming season!
I'd still love to see more transparency by the officiating crew in the NFL like has been seen in the spring leagues. Even if nothing shady is going on like some people believe (such as with ties to gambling), having clear and consistent rulings for the audience to understand the game is critical, as well as good for building trust and ensuring the air of competition is strong as opposed to being more of an entertainment product like the WWE.
On the case of it being difficult, there have to be reasonable ways to make the job easier, using things like replay and sensors and all sorts of currently prohibited innovations which would improve the game, but are left out for sake of tradition (see: the first in-helmet radios).
The transparency to me puts me in the mind of the referee
I know what they are seeing so I understand the calls they make
That is so amazing.
This was a very good and interesting video.
Some of you may remember I believe it was the 2013 season when the NFL had to use replacement refs for the preseason and for the first 3 weeks of the regular season. Some of these guys only ever officiated high school games, and then found themselves in the NFL. It was an absolute circus. The entire country were begging for the real refs back, so much so that there is a video if Gene Staratore walking onto the field pregame in Baltimore for the Thursday night game Week 4, so the first game back with the real refs and the crowd started cheering for him, and he stopped and gave everyone a wave!
It was the 2012 season. That year the refs had a lockout.
@@charliecoccia8875 Yeah you're right
There needs to be about 15 minutes dedicated to offensive holding.
7:50 graphic why is the umpire behind the line of scrimmage?
Players and coaching do. so I would like to hear from them , they should be fine also. And talk the media
29:04 Blake Grupe from Sedalia, Missouri kicking off for the New Orleans Saints!!
Great video!
I’m blind! I’m deaf! I want to be a ref!
Seriously though the work these guys do is amazing. Affectionately known as “stripes” at least in the sport I play (hockey) they not only enforce rules but keep everyone safe! Mad respect!
NFL UA-cam been on a heater
Ed Hochuli would’ve fit well in TV when he retired
What they mean about "TVs"? TV timeouts?
Do one for players and coaches
Great video!! I have an even greater respect for referees
@52:00 yo i never about how are new refs recruited. it would only make sense nfl watches college for potential prospects just like for players.
Pro ref propaganda! j/k i'll take a look at this at a later point. It's actually a good thing to show just how stressful and crazy a job of being an NFL official can be.
An in-depth video about referees! I’m sure the comments will be very reasonable!
How does someone become an NFL referree/line judge/umpire? I love watching the ref and the game in general.
If you thought the players’ union was powerful, the referees’ union is even more powerful.
Players are released or sent to the minors, coaches and managers are fired and workers are laid off or fired.
A football referee’s job is a difficult one, but once you’re in the club, you’re in until you decide to retire.
Hey NFL Throwback I Got a video you should do a trades that were the best trade to the worst trade ranked 1# to the worst in mind. but great video
Great vid
33:23 That means 42% of the time when the play was reviewed, the officials on the field; got it WRONG.
That's about 8 times a week, including all plays from all games for that week.
334 occurrences in 2023 /18 weeks /42%.
How does the review booth get it wrong?
Personal Foul N⁰ 92 he's giving the quarterback business down there
Most people have no clue how much studying and practice high school, college, and professional referees have to do to learn all of the rules.
While people talk about 4K and slo Mo creating controversial calls I also look at the ability to pause the image. Delay of game and holding look very bad in still images, but they are rules that are meant to be called in real time
Did i miss the part when they talk about the script?
A referee gave me a pack of gum once at a packer game😂
Actually I really admire the NFL for being a frontrunner in giving so many jobs for the many visualy impaired in our society who would otherwise not have a chance at gainful employment
Personal foul N⁰ 98 He's giving the quarterback business down there
Unseen dreams!
I got an ad about Patrick mahomes before this video
dropping after the controversial calls in the nba is crazy
Bring the super challenge to the NFL.
So easy for me to sit here in my comfy chair and hate on the refs, but their job is one thankless job
You're here thanking them, so that's false
Rule 1: be blind
Came here to say this.
You deserve to be the top comment.
@@PaulGaithersame
Ignorant
ignorant comment
lol out loud 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Tbh not allowing instant replay to reverse a on field decision should have been a thing since the 1980's not recently
"Explained" knocking out of the park again. Great video!
Honestly we gotta show our refs some love now and again
Hmmm, let's see. 121 NFL officials each week trying to contend with roughly 2000 hot-house orchids known as players, coaches and owners and several million hyped-up, adrenalin-rushed, mostly inebriated fans while they alone have to be rational and level-headed. Kind of like control rods in a nuclear plant.
Who gave this dude aux at 34:40 😭💀
you should add being blind and sensitive too
ignorant comment
Honestly I do have to respect the refs that call a fair penalty on a home team in front of a packed crowd of angry fans. Even if you have security, you are putting the integrity of the game over your safety
I think most officials in any sport are type A
Since all scoring plays are reviewed, why not allow the review process to look at certain penalties that were not called be considered if they would have had a direct impact on the play. Get it right. GET IT CORRECT
With all this prep. how come they screw up so often?
After end of the day, it's just officiating.
And a game also
@@ericradford2142 this.
What the hell was that guy doing playing madden in the officials booth??? Do they simulate the games on madden while the real game in going on something…how could that help with replays in any way?? I don’t get it!!
Rule 1: screw over the lions vs cowboys everytime
26:18 this is cool but it does not change my perception of what officials do and their role in the league.
They don't have to answer to the media 😂
Which orifice was the tuck rule pulled out of?
Why did you cut the chapter about when they get it wrong?
32:13 This man is playing Madden NFL 24. Why can't you leave him alone? lol
HE’S THE ONE WHO CONTROLS THE GAME
@@briangruenewald7536 the one and MIGHTY