For years, NFL fans (and players) have been asking for accountability with officiating and it seems like we might have gotten just that.
According to Ben Austro of Football Zebras, in an unprecedented move, the NFL has fired three officials and demoted them back to college football.
Second-year umpire James Carter, third-year line judge Robin DeLorenzo and first-year down judge Robert Richeson were the officials sent back to the college ranks, according to Austro. Carter was an alternate official in the wild card round last season after the NFL had multiple injuries at the position; DeLorenzo didn’t qualify for a postseason game in her two seasons; and Richeson was not playoff eligible as a rookie.
We’ll see if the firing motivates more officials to improve the number of calls they get correct next season.
