Submit a Story!
Get the BallHype iPhone App
Sources: NFL plans to address umpires' safety
After watching players collide with umpires far too often in this and in recent seasons, the NFL's Competition Committee will address the safety of its officials after this season, two NFL sources said. Ultimately, umpires could be equipped with helmets like the players they try to officiate, or ...
Comments
Blog Reactions

NFL looks at protecting umpires
ProFootballTalk.com — On the seven-member NFL officiating crew, it's always the umpire -- the official who lines up in the middle of the defense, four or five yards from the line of scrimmage -- who's most at risk. Umpires routinely get caught in the action and often end up knocked on their backsides ...

NFL Referees to Wear Helmets?
The Big Lead — ... the NFL’s Competition Committee will address the safety of its officials after this season. The NFL has grown increasingly concerned with the types of collisions it witnessed Monday night, when the Broncos and Chargers played and umpire Butch Hannah got hit by San Diego safety Steve Gregory. In a Week 2 game umpire Garth DeFelice was knocked down four times in one game.” Instead of a helmet, Ed Hochuli has announced plans to wear half-eaten bear flesh on his head. [ESPN] ...

Steve McNair Jr., NFL in London: Week 7 NFL Live Tweet
FanHouse — by Michael David Smith Filed under: NFL Media WatchSteve McNair Jr, a senior wide receiver at Hattiesburgh High, is having a great season. He has received several scholarship offers and is also taking some snaps at quarterback. That's nice to hear. The NFL is considering mandating helmets for umpires in 2010. That's long overdue. Those are among the observations I've made on Twitter so far this Week 7 Sunday, and if you want more like it, you can follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith. Steve McNair Jr., NFL in London: Week 7 NFL Live Tweet originally appeared on NFL ...

Washington Wizards Can Be Quite Contemplative
SPORTSbyBROOKS — ... The NFL is seriously considering equipping umpires, the officials who are position right in the middle of the action, with helmets . Probably not such a bad idea. The biggest problem though remains: NFL officials should be full-time. ...

Steve McNair Jr., NFL in London: Week 7 NFL Live Tweet
FanHouse — by Michael David Smith Filed under: NFL Media WatchSteve McNair Jr, a senior wide receiver at Hattiesburgh High, is having a great season. He has received several scholarship offers and is also taking some snaps at quarterback. That's nice to hear. The NFL is considering mandating helmets for umpires in 2010. That's long overdue. Those are among the observations I've made on Twitter so far this Week 7 Sunday, and if you want more like it, you can follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith. Steve McNair Jr., NFL in London: Week 7 NFL Live Tweet originally appeared on NFL ...

Your Late Games Open Thread [Nfl]
Deadspin — Citing a rise in player/referee collisions, the NFL plans to address the issue next season, including the possibility of officials wearing helmets. Now put on your padded commenter helmet and make fun of the late games. [ESPN] ...

NFL official hurt after kickoff collision with Vikings player
Shutdown Corner — After Percy Harvin(notes) crossed midfield with his kickoff return midway through the fourth quarter of the Minnesota Vikings-Pittsburgh Steelers game, the only man with a chance of stopping him was wearing stripes.  Harvin broke his return down the left sideline, but cut right at the Pittsburgh 30-yard line as the Pittsburgh special teams closed in on him. Dugan, a tight end, ran with Harvin to block any Steeler who might get in his way, but instead of shoving someone wearing black and yellow, he ran square into someone wearing black and white. Dugan collided with back judge Richard Reels, who was backpedaling in the middle of the ...

Steve McNair Jr., NFL in London: Week 7 NFL Live Tweet
FanHouse — by Michael David Smith Filed under: NFL Media WatchSteve McNair Jr, a senior wide receiver at Oak Grove High, is having a great season. He has received several scholarship offers and is also taking some snaps at quarterback. That's nice to hear. The NFL is considering mandating helmets for umpires in 2010. That's long overdue. Those are among the observations I've made on Twitter so far this Week 7 Sunday, and if you want more like it, you can follow along below or follow me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith. Steve McNair Jr., NFL in London: Week 7 NFL Live Tweet originally appeared on NFL ...

Morning Musings: ALCS, Football Doldrums, and Some Twitter News
Never on Injured Reserve — A mostly unimpressive Saturday of college football? Check. A fairly boring NFL Sunday? Check. Wanting basketball to get under way to not be so consumed by pigskin? Check. And the Yankees finally clinching a World Series berth? Check. I'll start with that last one today. "Thuhhhhhh Yankees Win": It took a little longer than the Bombers wanted it to, but they're back in the World Series. Andy Pettite looked like Andy Pettite circa 1996 and the lineup did what it always does. Blaming any part of the outcome of game six on those senseless errors by the Angels during the eighth inning would be unfair to both teams. With no game seven, ALCS MVP CC Sabathia gets to pitch in game one on Wednesday ...

Strap on Your Helmet, You're Going Officiating
The Sporting Blog — A recent spate of injuries to NFL referees has the league competition committee prepared to discuss the possibility of outfitting officials with helmets or other protective devices beginning in the 2010 season. The discussion would begin after this season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. At ...

NFL refs might be equipped with dome pieces, but why?
The Replacement Refs — If I saw an NFL referee wearing a helmet, I would think to myself, "what the hell is he wearing a helmet for?" That's the same question I had when I first saw John Olerud wearing a helmet while he played first base. Well, get used to it because it's looking like a distinct possibility for 2010: After watching players collide with umpires far ...

Expect helmets on officials in the not-too-distant future
Shutdown Corner — Over the weekend, Chase detailed the mauling of an unfortunate NFL official, Richard Reels, when he got caught in the midst of a Percy Harvin(notes) kick return. Tight end Jeff Dugan(notes) wanted to block for Harvin, and ended up laying the wood to Reels, a back judge. It happens a few times a week, with varying levels of severity. An official will get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, and suddenly, he's got armor-clad, 280-lb., highly-conditioned man-beasts stampeding at him like he's drunk in Pamplona on the wrong weekend. Meanwhile, he's protected by a hat. Not for much longer, perhaps. ...

Related Content
[NFL] Will NFL Require Umpires To Wear Helmets In 2010?
gridironfans.com 30 days ago — The NFL may consider requiring umpires -- who stand in the middle of the field where linebackers usually set -- with helmets next season, ESPN reported. The league is concerned with the danger to umpires, after two incidents this season have resulted in collisions between players and umpires. ...
Vincent on the Umpires
baseballmusings.com 30 days ago — Fay Vincent gives his ideas for better post season (and general) umpiring. The system I propose would work even better if postseason umpires did away with the practice of sharing their fees with colleagues who don’t work in the postseason. Even though those who work get a greater share of the ...
Chargers look to end two game Skid
profootball-fans.com 10/23/2009 — Coming into the 2009 season one of the things the Chargers wanted to avoid was another slow start. San Diego had begun each of the previous two seasons poorly but was able to recover and ultimately make the playoffs.
2009 World Series Umpires
replacementrefs.com 27 days ago — Oh, we're going to have fun with Country Joe West. 2009 WORLD SERIES UMPIRES Game One Umpire Previous Postseason Assignments HP Gerry Davis 9 DS (1996, 99, 02-04, 06-09); 7 LCS (1990, 92, 95, 98, 00-01, 05); 3 WS (1996, 99, 04) 1B Jeff Nelson 5 DS (2000-01, 05, 08-09); 2 ...
Chargers can’t slow down undefeated Broncos
profootball-fans.com 10/21/2009 — Before the start of the 2009 NFL season most experts had the Chargers taking the AFC West division title easily. They expected San Diego to burgeon their record against weaker opponents like the Raiders, Chiefs, and yes, the Broncos and to cruise their way into the playoffs.
Get Healthy Soon, Umpires
thebiglead.com 10/16/2009 — Why the Postseason Umpires Stink: “The quality of the umpiring has taken a hit because at least a dozen umpires, including seven crew chiefs, were left out of postseason assignments this year due to injuries … The sidelined umpires ...
Expect a crew of veteran umpires for Series
nypost.com 10/23/2009 — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Don’t blow the call! That goes not only for the umpires, but to the MLB officials entrusted with choosing next week’s World Series crew. The selections will be made this weekend from a pool of 24 umpires who worked the LDS. The 12 u...
CHARGERS: Bugaboos on third down still haunt offense, defense
nctimes.com 10/24/2009 — SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers' running game came to life on Monday against Denver. LaDainian Tomlinson looked like his old self, and even broke off a few vintage jaunts into the secondary. The Chargers defense also had its best game against the run, ...
4th And Goal With Jeff Williams
bolthype.com 30 days ago — Since the Chargers lost to Denver last Monday, I've had a lot on my mind. Stuff like "throwback jerseys are good, throwback cheerleader outfits are not as good." Or, "I sure like Jon Gruden when he doesn't work in Oakland." But mostly it's been, "What happened to this team we called a Super ...
Brash Broncos back it up with a perfect record
espn.go.com 10/20/2009 — AP Photo/Denis Poroy Elvis Dumervil had two of Denver's five sacks of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson SAN DIEGO -- Kyle Orton walked into the small but ...
Kansas City Chiefs center Rudy Niswanger leaves with knee injuryESPN.com - NFL 30 days ago
Kansas City center Rudy Niswanger has left the Chiefs' game against the San Diego Chargers with a left knee injury.
Falcons RB Norwood out vs. Cowboys (AP)Yahoo! Sports - NFL News 30 days ago
The Atlanta Falcons are without starting fullback Ovie Mughelli and backup running back Jerious Norwood against the Dallas Cowboys. Mughelli missed his second consecutive game with a calf injury and Norwood was inactive Sunday because of a hip flexor. ...
Chargers get much-needed jolt, zap Chiefs 37-7 at ArrowheadUSATODAY.com NFL - Top Stories 30 days ago
Philip Rivers threw three touchdowns passes and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 71 yards and helping the San Diego Chargers trounce ...
Rivers Throws 3 TD Passes, Chargers Bury ChiefsNYT > Pro Football 30 days ago
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Philip Rivers threw three touchdowns passes and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 71 yards and helping the San Diego Chargers trounce the hapless Kansas City Chiefs 37-7 on Sunday.
Rivers throws 3 TD passes, Chargers bury ChiefsBoston.com -- Football news 30 days ago
Philip Rivers threw three touchdowns passes and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for a season-high 71 yards while helping the San Diego Chargers trounce the hapless Kansas City Chiefs 37-7 on Sunday.