A couple of questions about football officials

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Sorry for the vague title, but I didn’t know how else to word it.

Hubby and I have been watching The Colts nearly every week this season, and have seen a couple of things that we can’t figure out. First off, the referees, line judges, and umpires all seem to be wearing a funny thing on their hands. It’s a black band that goes around the wrist, and has a strap that runs from the palmside of the wrist band up between the pointer and middle fingers and back down between the ring and pinkie fingers to the wrist band. So, what is it and what purpose does it serve?

Also, there are lots of guys on the sidelines wearing dark blue tunics with bright orange markings on them. Some of the guys hold the first down markers, and other guys just seem to be standing there. Who are they, and what is their purpose?

Thanks!

2

:smack: This was supposed to go in GQ.

3

I believe it is a way to secure their whistle to their hand, basically keeping the whistle in their hand without having to grip it. Officials want to be able to access their whistle and their flag extremetly quickly - one hand for each.

As for the guys dressed in blue with orange markings, some are for the chain gang, others are their to supply balls. Their should be some regular ball people, and some with a K on their chest to identify them as supplying the balls that are used for kickoffs only.

4

Im pretty sure it’s their whistle on a strap they have in their hands. They shift the strap from finger to finger between each down to keep track.

The guys on the sidelines have the down markers, the chains and carry the extra balls.

5

Thanks for the info! The “K” was a big question for us. Is there something special about balls used only for kick-offs? Or is it just to be sure they have a “fresh” one on hand for a kick-off?

6

Yeah, its basically to have a fresh ball for kickoffs. Everyone game the home team must supply a certain amount of balls for the game - 36 for outdoor games and 24 for indoor games. In addition, 12 new footballs sealed in a box from the manufacturer must be presented to the officials before the game. These balls will be used for the kickoffs only.

I believe the reason for this is that kickers used to work the balls over on the sidelines. Kickers would constantly press on both ends of the football making it more of a rounder shape. Supposedly this would aid in kicking. There might be a reason for field goals but I’m a little fuzzy on that.

7

Wow that was bad - add me to the must preview list.

Please change Everyone to Every