5 officiating observations from Super Bowl LIX

While not an instant classic, there are several officiating observations to take away from the 59th Super Bowl.

1. Good choice of crew

Vice president of officiating, Ramon George switched things up this season and no longer followed the unwritten rule that a Super Bowl official needs at least five years of experience before getting the big game. Many people said many things ahead of the game about newer officials working a Super Bowl.

But, once they kicked the ball, every official, including those with three years experience, did just fine. I must say, it will be more challenging to guess the Super Bowl crew going forward without the five-year rule!

2. So much for “the Chiefs get all the calls” silliness

The Chiefs were flagged seven times. The Eagles were flagged eight times. Both teams had a penalty declined. Overall, the officials flagged what needed to be called (including two holding fouls on the Chiefs when they were desperately trying to give Mahomes time to throw the ball), and unsportsmanlike and unnecessary roughness calls on both teams. Arguments about officiating deciding the game are baseless, deluded, and a waste of time.

3. Torbert tosses the coin

This is the first Super Bowl that the referee has tossed the coin since Super Bowl LIV. Usually a celebrity joins the referee and tosses the coin. The crush of media and others crowding into the toss has returned to pre-pandemic ridiculousness. Give Torbert lots of credit in keeping concentration and getting the most important coin toss of the year dispatched smoothly.

On another note, I like that Torbert uses the late Red Cashion’s line, “Gentlemen let’s play football!” to conclude the coin toss.

4. Jonah Monroe kept up with TD bomb

Simply put, nice job and he would not have been in position with the “Move with Purpose” mechanics.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1888775403063357655

5. Calls still important in blowout games

The game was basically over at halftime. This game won’t produce memorable calls that we’ll talk about in reverent tones years from now.

But the worst thing the officials can do in a game like Super Bowl LIX is to mail it in. The officials’ calls are still important. Their calls need to keep the game under control and prevent fights. The crew can’t let a team start getting away with holding, offside and illegal blocks. Even when a team is losing big like the Chiefs, they must not get the feeling that the officials no longer care about a fair game and just want to “get it over with.” That attitude is disrespectful to both teams and to the game.

Kudos to Torbert’s crew for using common sense during the Super Bowl, calling fouls when a team gained an unfair advantage, and making sure both teams played with sportsmanship. Even though it was a blowout, the crew respected both teams and the game.

Time for the off season

The NFL is now in a dark period and doesn’t communicate with the officials. This allows the officials to get to the bottom of their inbox at their day jobs and lets them concentrate on their work.

The NFL will hire new officials in late March or early April (no word on retiring officials yet) and will find out crew assignments in May, when the dark period ends the NFL sends out “Memo One.” We will be here in the off season to report on rule changes, officiating news and the spring leagues.

The Hall of Fame Game is July 31!