Sport · Referee reshuffleNFL referee two games: Don Willard assigned double duty after flight disruptionGeschreven 15 november 2026 om 08:09 UTCKijkenTranscript0:00NFL referee two games.0:01Don Willard assigned double duty after flight disruption.0:07Don Willard will referee two NFL games in two cities on the same day.0:11Nationwide flight disruption has pushed the league to change referee assignments for0:14four games.0:15One game also needs the league office to cover a missing replay assistance duties.0:19Who will fill out those reshuffled officiating crews by kickoff?0:22The NFL is moving assignments toward officials who can drive to work.0:25On November14 , we reported that the nationwide aviation ground stop had been0:29lifted, but aircraft, crews, and passengers were still displaced.0:32Those travel problems now reach Sunday's officiating assignments.0:36Willard is scheduled to referee Dolphins, Colts and Indianapolis at1 p.0:40m.0:41Eastern on November15 .0:42Then he's due in Cincinnati for Steelers, Bengals on Sunday night.0:46The plan puts an entire game before his intercity journey and his second referee0:50assignment.0:50The trip is described as109 miles, about110 miles or112 miles.0:56Those figures don't share a stated route or measurement method.0:59The practical requirement is clear.1:00Finish the afternoon assignment.1:02Travel between the cities and be ready for the night game.1:04Willard's usual crew wasn't scheduled to work this weekend.1:07He ordinarily serves as a side judge on Scott Novak's crew.1:10His open weekend has become a double assignment at a different position.1:14Three designated backup referees will cover four games.1:17Alongside Willard, Duane Hayde moves from umpire to referee for Panthers, Saints.1:21Barry Anderson makes the same move for Jaguars, Titans.1:24Willard's two assignments account for the extra game.1:26All three already work as NFL officials and all have refereed preseason games.1:30They're now assigned their first full regular season games in that role.1:33Their usual positions involve different responsibilities, but the league has a1:37standing system to prepare them for this switch.1:39Each of the NFL's seventeen crews has an identified backup referee who trains for1:43that position throughout the year.1:44That gives the league a prepared replacement when travel prevents an assigned1:47referee from reaching a game.1:49Backup duty sits alongside the official's regular position.1:52The NFL says it reassigned officials to games within driving distance of their1:56hometowns because of the continuing nationwide impact on air travel.1:59That changes who leads the affected crews.2:01While reducing dependence on the flight itineraries that the disruption upended,2:05subscribe to this channel as we follow Sunday's final crew assignments and Willard's2:08planned double duty.2:10Panthers Saints is set to go ahead without a replay assistant at the game in New2:14Orleans.2:14The NFL's League Office will handle that person's duties.2:17Replay review will still be available, with the missing local support work covered2:21centrally.2:21Carolina, New Orleans is one of seven games scheduled for the one P.2:25M.2:26Eastern Window.2:27The league office will be supporting several simultaneous games while taking on2:30those assistant duties.2:31Maintaining consistent decisions is the practical concern for players and coaches as2:35those responsibilities shift.2:37The League Office will cover the absent assistant's work during that seven game2:41window.2:41Changing where that support happens adds another operational adjustment alongside2:45Haiti T's move into the referee position.2:48The crew will have both a different leader and different replay.2:50Support arrangements.2:51Four previously scheduled referees are affected by the name substitutions.2:55Those changes also leave positions to account for within crews that ordinarily work2:59together throughout the regular season.3:01Sean Smith was originally assigned Panthers, Saints, and Alex Moore was assigned3:05Jaguars, Titans.3:06Carl Sheffers was due at Dolphins, Colts.3:08Cleep Blakeman was scheduled for Steelers Bengals.3:11The NFL's announcement didn't specify their revised roles or every other change3:14across the affected crews.3:16Year-round backup training gives the NFL a way to fill the referee assignments.3:19The full crew combinations will become clear through Sunday staffing and the3:23official game books.3:24Those records will also show whether Weller completes both games and how Panthers3:28Saints ultimately covers its replay duties.Lees het artikelTijdlijn van het verhaalHeyDex
