Men in Stripes: The History and Art of NFL Officiating

Love ’em or hate ’em, NFL officials are an essential part of the game. In this episode of Old Guy Sports, the Old Guy and Miss Amy take a look at the men and women in stripes—from the early days of football, when only a few officials worked a game, to today’s seven-person crews supported by instant replay, technology, and the NFL’s replay operation in New York.

The Old Guy breaks down each officiating position and explains what those officials are actually watching during a game. We also look at some of the major rule changes that have shaped modern football—and the players and plays that helped bring those changes about.

So grab your favorite game-day chair, get comfortable, and try not to yell at the referee. After all, there’s more to officiating than jus ...