Neely Dunn: NFL Supervisor of Officials
Neely Dunn is one of four supervisors. “And there are two directors, and we have observers and trainers at the other games,” he explained, “Every game is covered.” You often hear that the referees working playoff games are the “top rated” officials in the league; those ratings come from the evaluations done by these supervisors and observers. “Each official is graded on every play, and those grades, after we’re done with them, are put into a computer. At the end of the season the computer kicks out each official by position. The top eleven guys are eligible for playoff games.”

After each game he discusses the calls with the crew. On Monday, he begins grading the film. Usually by Tuesday afternoon he calls the referee to review the game. “And then I start with my second game.”

Bill Reynolds: NFL Official Trainer
“I’m here to watch some of the officials and see what they’re doing. I rate them and help them improve.” Bill is a former referee; his assignment for this game was to evaluate the two officials working the line of scrimmage. He will also review tapes of two games during the week. His evaluation is then sent to the officials. “They go along with it. Any help you can get in this league, you need it.”

I have seen a few female referees in male sports, but every one that I have seen quits after a few years because they cannot take all the abuse from the fans and coaches and they must be tough and non-wavering in the face of controversy. It’s not an easy job to do, and you have to get through a lot of very difficult and hard times.

Men referees quit all the time as well. I quit myself for a few years. It’s a lot tougher than it looks.

Jennifer – get into football at the pop warner / little league level in your area and see it’s something you enjoy.

Ethan, question for ya, Would i even be allowed. I have never seen a female ref in any major sports. Whats the deal with that?

The only thing more insane than his exercise and work schedules was the amount of scrutiny he is under when the league reviews all of his calls from the previous games on all sorts of far-reaching criteria.

Even when these guys officiate a game perfectly, they still are under intense scrutiny. Trust me, Ed will be having a long week from this, even before he gets any possible punishment.