Expert: Thom Brooks - 8/30/2008

Question
what are the letters on the back of the college football referee's jersey mean?

Answer
Steve, hello!

The white hat is called the Referee. (The "R").  He's the boss of the officiating team.

The Umpire is the official that stands over the football on the defensive side.  I was an umpire for two (back to back) games last night here in Savannah.  We get beat up a lot.....  I was knocked down twice, got a helmet in the back and another helmet in the knee.  So, at 58 years old, I didn't do a great job of getting out of the way of these high school speedsters !!  I'm sore but love it.

The Head Linesman is one of the wings supervising the Chain crew.
The Line Judge is across the field, on the home side, facing the H.L.

The Back Judge is the man that is on the Home Side taking the runner all the way to the end zone.

The Field Judge is on the visitor's side and follows the runners down the field to the end zone.  

R
U
HL
LJ
BJ
FJ

You then have the ECO (electronic clock operator) who is in the pressbox controlling the clock.  Sometimes we have an "I" who is the indicator.  The Indicator is in charge of keeping the downs and yardage on the clock.  


As a fan, you see the game a certain way.

As a coach and player, you see the game a certain way.

As an official, you see the game a third way.  We follow the box of officials as they go down the field.  We do not concentrate on the baill, but rather the zone of players on the field.  We hope to stay invisible and throw few flags as possible.  

The game of football and baseball are indeed Works of Art.

Take care,

Thomas Brooks