Officiating in History

Tales of big games, big calls and the officials that worked them.

Officiating in History

Officiating in History
Tales of big games, big calls and the officials that worked them.

Inside “The Comeback” – Buffalo vs. Houston 1993

Had the now ubiquitous “Win Probability Chart” been a thing in 1993, the Buffalo Bills and their fans would not have been happy with what it showed at halftime of their AFC...

Favre’s MNF Dad Game – Dec. 22, 2003

When the 2003 NFL season opened, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre had already pretty much assured himself a place in the Pro Football...

The Immaculate Reception: Pittsburgh vs. Oakland Dec. 23, 1972

Fred Swearingen's world had slowed down by 1998 and he was into a peaceful life in Carlsbad, Calif. His serene existence when we interviewed him...

The Glory Road Game

Thornton Jenkins had so much more than an NCAA basketball championship game to officiate when Texas Western tipped off against the University of Kentucky...

The Shot

As an exhausted Tom Clark settled back into the aisle seat of his Delta Airlines flight the morning of March 29, 1992, a slight...

You Are There: Cal vs. the Stanford Band (November 20, 1982)

By Leon Davis No, the Pac-10 title was not on the line, but when Stanford's Cardinal traveled to Berkeley to take on California's Bears it...

DQ’d: Tyson vs. Holyfield June 28, 1997

Five days after ending the notorious Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield fight with a Tyson disqualification, Mills Lane is holed up in his Nevada District Court...
boise state oklahoma fiesta bowl 2007

You Are There: Boise State’s Statue of Liberty vs. Oklahoma 2007

Some eyebrows were raised when Boise State was selected for the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos were a perfect 12-0 during the 2006 season, but some questioned the caliber...

Officiating In History: Nolan Ryan’s 7th No-Hitter – May 1, 1991

Texas Rangers' pitcher Nolan Ryan felt every one of his 44 years early in the evening of May 1, 1991. Worse, he was about...

Nolan Ryan’s Final Hit Batter: August 4, 1993

In his illustrious 27-year career, Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan hit 158 batters. “He did not have a reputation as a headhunter,” said retired...

College Football Officiating at 150

DYK? Referees did not make all rulings in college football games until 1876. As college football marks its 150th anniversary this season, it is only...

Mike Carey’s All-Time Memorable Game

It is Feb. 3, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. The New England Patriots are attempting to become the second undefeated team in pro football history,...

Webber’s Timeout: Michigan vs. UNC 1993 NCAA Championship

The 1993 NCAA men’s basketball championship game was one of the most famous college hoops game ever. Why? Because the new guard — Michigan’s...

Eight Is Enough: 1985 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship

You would think after officiating more than 166 minutes of a soccer game, the sweat-soaked officials had put in a full day and would...

Hammerin’ Hank 715

It was perhaps the most sacred of all of baseball’s sacred records, but when Hank Aaron launched long ball number 715, he became baseball’s...

Bobby Knight Throws A Chair

Bobby Knight’s molten rage briefly bubbled beneath the surface until, like Vesuvius, he erupted in a pyrotechnic fury. The Indiana basketball coach blew his top...

You Are There: UCLA Streak Snapped

There are only three “streaks” in sports that matter: DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Ripken’s 2,632 consecutive game “iron man” streak and UCLA’s 88-game winning...

The Eras of Our Ways

Ron Luciano, who died in 1995, was one of the classic arbiters and characters of the 1970s in professional sports. An AL umpire for...

John Hirschbeck Reminisces on MLB Playoff No-Hitter

It is Oct. 6, 2010, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Phillies are facing the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a...

Port of Calls

Having done hundreds of college basketball games in their officiating careers, a pregame walk-through usually is no big deal for NCAA Division I men’s...

Bronx Brawl – Yankees vs. Orioles – May 19, 1998

Over the years, MLB has seen its share of bench-clearing brawls. Once the benches clear, and the bullpens empty, it is usually a time...

You Are There: Cooney Launches the Rocket

Then-Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens charges at umpire Terry Cooney after Cooney ejected the fiery fireballer during game four of the 1990 ALCS. AL...

Our Founding Story – How Referee Magazine Came To Be

It’s often been said that if one has a problem, one has three choices: whine about it, ignore it or do something about it. Lucky for the world of sports officiating, Barry Mano...

A History of Strikes and Lockouts

Over the years, strikes or lockouts have impacted the officials of every major sport. L abor disputes have been a part of American life since shortly...

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