How many refs work in NFL game?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 15, 2026
During professional and most college football games, seven officials operate on the field.
How many officials referee a football game?
During professional and college football, seven officials operate on the field. High school and other levels of football have other officiating systems. American football officials are commonly referred to as referees, but each has a title based on their position.
How many officiating crews are there in the NFL?
There are 17 NFL officiating crews with eyes on the same players playing the same games in the same stadiums for the same 18 weeks every season. But how is it that they see the games so differently?
Do NFL referees work as a crew?
The referee is also referred to as the crew chief. That person will oversee all of the other officials and is the one you see making the calls on the field.
How much does an NFL referee get paid?
Although the official figures are not usually revealed publicly, after the last agreement between the league and the NFL Referees Association it was known that in the 2019 season, referees received earnings of $205,000 on average. This equates to around $12,000 per game, a pretty significant figure.
16 related questions foundWhat do the letters mean on NFL refs?
Like football players, referees have numbers and letters to let the coaches know who will make a call. For instance, a back judge will be responsible for signaling touchdown and worry about plays that happen downfield. Side judges are responsible for offside and any pre-snap penalties.
What are the 5 officials in football?
- Referee.
- Umpire.
- Down Judge.
- Line Judge.
- Field Judge.
- Side Judge.
- Back Judge.
What are NFL refs full time jobs?
Is refereeing in the NFL a full-time job? Working as an NFL referee is a part-time job. They do not receive insurance benefits because of this, but they do have a 401k plan with a partial matching contribution. Additionally, the NFL Referees Association represents them.
What profession are most NFL refs?
For the majority of officials, being a referee is only their side job. Primary Occupation: Civil litigator at a Phoenix law firm.
Do NFL refs pay their own travel expenses?
Do NFL refs Pay Their Own Travel Expenses? Since referees have to spend a lot of time traveling to games throughout the NFL season, they do receive a stipend to cover their travel expenses, but the amount of the stipend is not publicly available.
How much does a NFL Waterboy make?
On average, NFL waterboys make $53,000 per year (according to Stack.com). However, that's just the salary for beginners. For professionals, their salary can be higher as any other highest paid NFL waterboy.
Who is the black NFL referee?
Johnny Grier, the first Black referee in NFL history, has passed away, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent announced Wednesday. He was 74. Grier worked NFL games for 23 years (1981-2004), beginning as a field judge before being promoted to referee in 1988.
What's the difference between a referee and an umpire in football?
An umpire refers to sports officials who apply their services in various kinds of sports competitions, whereas a referee is the person who ensures that all the rules and regulations of the game are correctly followed while the game is in progress.
What is the C referee in football?
The position will be called center judge -- the new official will wear a “C” on his back --and be located in the offensive backfield opposite the referee.
What does DJ stand for in NFL referee?
The head linesman (H or HL), or down judge (DJ) in the NFL, CFL, and the 2022 version of the USFL, stands at one end of the line of scrimmage (usually the side opposite the press box, always with the chain crew), looking for possible offsides, encroachment and other fouls before the snap.
How do refs spot the ball in football?
After an offensive player gets tackled, its normal to see that player place the ball one or two feet further than the spot where his body hit the ground. The referee gets the ball and places it on the field.
Why do referees have numbers?
The numbers are for identification purposes only. There are 117 officials in the NFL, but their uniform numbers go up to 135. Unlike players, whose jersey numbers are determined by their positions, there is no rhyme or reason to the referee numbering system.
Why do referees wear stripes?
Olds decided that wearing stripes would be the best way to avoid confusion. He had a friend make him a black and white striped shirt, which he wore for the first time during the 1921 state basketball championships. Other referees saw his outfit and started copying it. The rest, as they say, is history!
Why do they call them umpires?
Umpire derives from the Old French word 'nonper', referring to a third person that mediates between two other people, from the early 14th century. Originally used in a legal sense, it was first recorded in reference to sports in the 17th century in relation to wrestling.
What is the umpire's job in football?
On the field, the Umpire is responsible for spotting and assessing line play penalties: holding, illegal blocks, illegal contact, illegal hands to the face, etc. They also count the number of offensive players on the field.
Do Super Bowl refs get a ring?
While much attention is focused on team rings, which are awarded to players and employees on the winning team, it is often overlooked that NFL officials are awarded rings for officiating in the Super Bowl.
Who is referee# 23?
Jerome Leonard Boger (/ˈboʊɡər/ BOH-gər; born July 1, 1955) is an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) since the 2004 NFL season. He has worn uniform number 23 since 2006; before that, he wore uniform number 109.
How much does an NFL Water Girl make?
How much does an NFL waterboy make? The typical starting salary for a waterboy is $53,000 per year according to stack.com.
How much does a NFL cheerleader make?
According to information from various data sources, the average NFL cheerleader salary is $150 per game day. They also receive about $50 – $75 for one public appearance. The cheerleaders' job is more like performing. To get those sexy and hot performances, they had to go through a lot of things.