For the first 55 minutes of an NFL game, the umpire positions himself in the offensive backfield after placing the ball on the line of scrimmage, a recent move made to keep the officials out of harm’s way during play. In the final five minutes, however, the umpire switches back to his old position, behind the middle of the defense, in order to make the placement of the ball quicker for team’s running late-game offenses.
The umpire from Monday night’s Miami Dolphins-New York Jets game can attest to the safety concerns. New York’s Shonn Greene plowed into him late in the game, knocking him to the ground with the direct hit.
Both men were shaken up, but unhurt.
Be sure to watch the replay for the hilarious overhead shot that shows the indecisive umpire trying to figure out which way to juke. In the end, he opts for the “fake left, fake right, stand completely still” maneuver popularized by former No. 1 NBA draft pick Kwame Brown.
That’s great gap discipline by that guy. It was also the best tackle anyone made against the Jets all night.
Read More:
Video: Shonn Greene knocks down umpire during run
