NFL officials kept away from gambling environs
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http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20070809_NFL_officials_kept_away_from_gambling_environs.html
Posted on Thu, Aug. 09, 2007
NFL officials kept away from gambling environs
By Zach Berman
Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - NFL official Tom Sifferman knew the question was coming. Sifferman, who has been a field judge for 22 years, is seeing the referee profession get questioned in the wake of the Tim Donaghy scandal in the NBA.
"I was dumbfounded that somebody would put themselves in that kind of situation," Sifferman said Saturday. "For somebody to go out and try to affect the outcome of the game, really, it's beyond comprehension."
Donaghy, a former NBA referee, is involved in an FBI investigation alleging he bet on basketball games during the last two seasons, including games he officiated.
Sifferman said he could not see the same thing happening in professional football. There are seven officials on the field at one time and after each penalty flag, the officials confer. The flag can be picked up if the other officials don't see the same call, Sifferman said.
NFL referees are required to report any suspicious behavior to the league, Sifferman said. According to an overview of the NFL league officiating preview given to reporters, 200 prospective candidates are recruited and observed each season with only eight eventually hired. Twelve to 15 finalists are interviewed each season by clinical psychologists and are investigated by the NFL's security department.
Rules in the collective-bargaining agreement also keep referees away from gambling environments, Sifferman said. Between the Hall of Fame Game in August and the Pro Bowl in February, referees are not allowed to visit racetracks, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or any other gambling establishments.
If they go during the off-season, they have to notify the NFL within 24 hours.
"We can eat there or go to a show, but we have to let them know," Sifferman said.
The NFL performs vigorous background checks on the officials, he said. It checks their financial situations, their credit, and even conducts psychological tests.
After each game, the NFL judges officials, who are part-time employees, on every play.
"If they find any inconsistencies and guys are making a night-and-day call, they won't be around very long," Sifferman said. "To me, it's like living in a fishbowl. They watch everything."
Contact staff writer Zach Berman at zberman@phillynews.com.
Posted on Thu, Aug. 09, 2007
NFL officials kept away from gambling environs
By Zach Berman
Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - NFL official Tom Sifferman knew the question was coming. Sifferman, who has been a field judge for 22 years, is seeing the referee profession get questioned in the wake of the Tim Donaghy scandal in the NBA.
"I was dumbfounded that somebody would put themselves in that kind of situation," Sifferman said Saturday. "For somebody to go out and try to affect the outcome of the game, really, it's beyond comprehension."
Donaghy, a former NBA referee, is involved in an FBI investigation alleging he bet on basketball games during the last two seasons, including games he officiated.
Sifferman said he could not see the same thing happening in professional football. There are seven officials on the field at one time and after each penalty flag, the officials confer. The flag can be picked up if the other officials don't see the same call, Sifferman said.
NFL referees are required to report any suspicious behavior to the league, Sifferman said. According to an overview of the NFL league officiating preview given to reporters, 200 prospective candidates are recruited and observed each season with only eight eventually hired. Twelve to 15 finalists are interviewed each season by clinical psychologists and are investigated by the NFL's security department.
Rules in the collective-bargaining agreement also keep referees away from gambling environments, Sifferman said. Between the Hall of Fame Game in August and the Pro Bowl in February, referees are not allowed to visit racetracks, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or any other gambling establishments.
If they go during the off-season, they have to notify the NFL within 24 hours.
"We can eat there or go to a show, but we have to let them know," Sifferman said.
The NFL performs vigorous background checks on the officials, he said. It checks their financial situations, their credit, and even conducts psychological tests.
After each game, the NFL judges officials, who are part-time employees, on every play.
"If they find any inconsistencies and guys are making a night-and-day call, they won't be around very long," Sifferman said. "To me, it's like living in a fishbowl. They watch everything."
Contact staff writer Zach Berman at zberman@phillynews.com.
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