NFL fires three officials in ‘accountability’ crackdown

NFL fires three officials in ‘accountability’ crackdown

The NFL appears to be cracking down on shoddy refereeing.

The league fired three officials in what footballzebras.com described as vice president of officiating training and development Ramon George “advancing accountability among the officiating ranks,” following a postseason that included several notable referee controversies.

In a deviation from normal standards, though, the referees received soft landings, being sent to college football power conferences due to George’s maneuvering, per the report.

NFL officials pose before a playoff game. AP

Dismissed officials reportedly had no such landing spot previously.

The NFL moved on from second-year umpire James Carter, third-year line judge Robin DeLorenzo and first-year down judge Robert Richardson, according to the report.

Carter served as an alternate official during the wild-card round this past season, with footballzebras.com speculating it may have been due to injuries, while DeLorenzo did not earn any postseason ᴀssignments and Richardson could not referee in the postseason due to his freshman status.

These moves come as George has pushed for using “data as a performance guide,” a source told the outlet.

“The culture is changing, it’s changing rapidly,” one official told footballzebras.com. “It’s changing into a compeтιтive environment where everybody’s equal. There are no favorites. There’s no favoritism. There’s none of that; it’s all about performance.”

NFL referees during a 2021 game. AP

The article did not mention any specific issues with this trio, but NFL refereeing came under the microscope this year, particularly regarding perceived bias toward the Chiefs.

The Chiefs benefitted from several questionable calls against the Texans in the divisional round before receiving a generous spot on what proved to be a game-changing fourth-down stop against the Bills in the AFC Championship game.

The Chiefs talk became so incessant that even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell labeled the alleged favoritism as “ridiculous,” and the NFL Referees ᴀssociation even released a statement.

Ramon George, seen here in 2023, is the NFL’s vice president of officiating training and development. Getty Images

The ᴀssociation noted it grades referees each week.

“Commissioner Goodell’s comments that it is ‘ridiculous’ to presume that NFL officials are not doing everything possible to make the right calls on every play is spot on,” executive director Scott Green said in a statement before Super Bowl 2025. “Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to ᴀssist one team.”

As the league moved on from those three referees, it’s uncertain whether they have a chance to return to NFL sidelines.

Sources told footballzebras.com they are unsure if the three can re-enter the league’s development program since the league-backed move to the college ranks is a change in protocol.

Moving to the collegiate ranks kept the union from being involved, per the report.

Related Posts

BREAKING NEWSNFL star Deommodore Lenoir arrested after tense exchange with police officers in Los Angeles

BREAKING NEWSNFL star Deommodore Lenoir arrested after tense exchange with police officers in Los Angeles

San Francisco 49ers star Deommodore Lenoir was arrested on Thursday in Los Angeles after a tense exchange with police.  Lenoir was taken into custody by the Los…

Hollywood veteran gives his verdict on co-star Travis Kelce’s acting skills

Hollywood veteran gives his verdict on co-star Travis Kelce’s acting skills

Travis Kelce’s acting abilities have been rated as ‘surprisingly good’ by his ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ co-star and iconic Hollywood actor Christopher McDonald. Kelce has gotten attention from…

Disgraced NFL legend Antonio Brown blasted by fans for vulgar Jason Kelce post

Disgraced NFL legend Antonio Brown blasted by fans for vulgar Jason Kelce post

Controversial ex-NFL star Antonio Brown has sparked outrage once again after sharing a vile message about Jason Kelce’s work for an autism charity. Brown, who is currently…

ESPN analyst accused of mocking colleague’s weight with savage on-air comment

ESPN analyst accused of mocking colleague’s weight with savage on-air comment

ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum has found himself in H๏τ water after seemingly mocking colleague Brian Windhorst about his weight while on-air. The incident occurred during Friday’s broadcast of…

Travis Kelce settles age-old debate as he finally names his favorite Taylor Swift song of all-time

Travis Kelce settles age-old debate as he finally names his favorite Taylor Swift song of all-time

Stand down Swifties, Travis Kelce has finally named his all-time favorite Taylor Swift song… and the answer may come as something of a surprise.  For many months,…

BREAKING NEWSSuper Bowl protestor finally charged by cops after waving political message during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show

BREAKING NEWSSuper Bowl protestor finally charged by cops after waving political message during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show

A Super Bowl halftime show performer has been charged with two misdemeanors, four and a half months after he wreaked havoc in the middle of Kendrick Lamar’s…