Down judge Patrick Turner uses a unique whistle technique

For years, we’ve talked about how NFL officials carry their whistles and techniques they use to avoid an inadvertent whistle.

Football officials usually carry their whistles in one of three ways – on a lanyard around their neck, a finger whistle, or on a small lanyard tied to their wrist — until I noticed down judge Patrick Turner earlier this season.

Turner takes to the field with two whistles: one on a lanyard around his neck, and one he carries freely in his hand. During a play he holds the whistle in his hand, and then puts it in his mouth when needed. After his hands are free, he then holds the whistle in his hand. The lanyard whistle is most likely a backup whistle in case Turner loses his handheld whistle.

Frankly, I’ve never seen a NFL official use this whistle technique (although some may have in the past century). This type of whistle-carrying technique is used by many basketball officials. And, as I prepared to write this post, our own Patrick Weber told me he uses this whistle technique when he officiates football.

Just another way NFL officials whistle while they work.