Posted in: NFL, Sports | Tagged: Al Riveron, Dean Blandino, entertainment, nfl, Russell Yurk, sports, Wayne Mackie

There's A New Sheriff In Town For NFL Referees…And A Few Deputies

Published Wed, 10 May 2017 20:00:40 -0500

The best thing you can possibly say about a referee or umpire in any sport is that you forgot they were there. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. In some NFL games, you see the refs as much as you see the quarterbacks. It was recently announced that Dean Blandino, head of officiating, would be stepping down. This move made the NFL review the job and the responsibilities involved, which led them to conclude that it is just too much for one person.

Al Riveron is being promoted to senior vice-president of officiating. He spent 2004 to 2012 as an on-field official, and then the last five years as senior director of officiating — basically, the number two guy to Blandino. Riveron is well respected in the league and was always considered next in line for the job.

Where things have changed is that the NFL has created a new position: VP of instant replay and administration. This job will specifically deal with a newly approved game-day initiative for all replay reviews to be decided from its command center in New York. This job is going to Russell Yurk, a replay official for the last seven years who will direct replay operations and supervise the personnel.

But wait, there's more. They also created the role of vice-president of officiating evaluation and development. This job has gone to Wayne Mackie, a veteran of 10 years of on-field officiating.

Mackie and Yurk report to Riveron, who reports to Troy Vincent, executive vice-president of football operations. That's a whole lot of vice-presidents.

Curious about where Blandino is going? He's going to go work in broadcasting with the knowledge that they need three people to do the job he just left.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!