2000
Owners, voted for instant replay for the second
consecutive year. This years system will use the same rules and
regulations as the 1999 system.
1999
By a vote of 28-3, the owners
adopted an instant replay system as an officiating aid for the 1999 season,
March 17.
1994
The NFL reached agreement on a
new seven-year contract with its game officials, September 12.
1992
The
use in officiating of a limited system of Instant Replay for a seventh consecutive year was
not approved. The vote was 17-11 in favor
of approval (21 votes were required), March 18.
1991
NFL clubs voted to continue a
limited system of Instant Replay for the sixth consecutive year. The vote was
21-7, March 19.
1990
For the
fifth straight year, NFL owners voted to continue a limited system of instant
Replay. Beginning in 1990, the replay official will have a two-minute time limit
to make a decision. The vote was 21-7, March 12.
Commissioner Tagliabue named NFL referee Jerry Seeman as NFL Director of
Officiating, replacing Art McNally, who announced his retirement after 31 years
on the field and at the league office, July 12.
1989
By a 24-4 margin,
owners voted to continue the instant replay system for the fourth straight
season.
1988
By a 23-5 margin, owners voted
to continue the instant replay system for the third consecutive season with the
Instant Replay Official to be assigned to a regular seven-man, on-the-field
crew.
Johnny Grier #23, became the first African-American referee in NFL history, September 4
The NFL changed the color of the caps the officials wore of the field; referees wore white caps and other officials on the field wore black.
1987
Owners also voted to continue in
effect for one year the instant replay system used during the 1986 season.
Instant replay was used to reverse eight plays in 52 preseason games. during
the strike-shortened 210-game regular season, 490 plays were closely reviewed by
replay officials, leading to 57 reversals. Eighteen plays were closely reviewed
by instant replay in 10 postseason games, with three reversals.
1986
The owners adopted
limited use of instant replay as an officiating aid, March 11.
Instant replay was used to reverse two plays in 31 preseason games. during the regular season, 374 plays were closely reviewed by replay officials, leading to 38 reversals in 224 games. Eighteen plays were closely reviewed by instant replay in 10 post-season games with three reversals.
1982
The NFL
changed the officials' uniform. The league used a different numbering system for
the officials and issued jerseys that made the position and number more visible
to players and fans. Each official was assigned a different number similar
to before 1979.
1979
On the
officials' jerseys, the NFL began to include their position above the number.
Numbers were assigned 1-25 at each position. also, NFL referees began to wear
black caps during games and the other officials on the field wore white
caps.
1978
A seventh
official, the side judge, was added to the officiating crew, March 14.
A study on the use of instant replay as an officiating aid was made during seven nationally televised preseason games.
1975
Referees were equipped with
wireless microphones for all preseason, regular-season, and playoff
games.
1965
The NFL added a sixth official,
the line judge, February 19.
The color of the officials' penalty flags was changed from white to bright gold, April 5.
Field Judge Burl Toler became the first black official in NFL history, September 19.
1948
Officials other than the referee
were equipped with whistles, not horns, January 14.
1947
The NFL
added a fifth official, the back judge.
1938
At the suggestion of George
Halas, Hugh (Shorty) Ray became a technical advisor on rules and Officiating to
the NFL.
1929
The NFL added a fourth
official, the field judge, July 28.
Thanks to NFL.com
Created by: Ryan
Schwartz
Last Updated: 07/22/00