NFL Officials Opt Out: According to ESPN 7 officials have opted out for the entire year, the league made this very announcement on Friday. Right now only 5 of those names have came through.
Advertisement
Who were the 5 NFL officials to Opt Out:
- Jeff Bergman (line judge)
- Steve Freeman (back judge)
- Greg Gautreaux (field judge)
- Joe Larrew (field judge)
- Tony Steratore (back judge)
The NFL also provides $30,000 stipend and a guaranteed job offer for the 2021 season as agreed by the NFL and the NFL referees association.
According to ESPN with the two replay officials who have opted out, the roster of officials currently has 114 on it. All of the officials are part-time employees after the league suspended the full time employee program.
Will the NFL add new officials to roster?
Yes, the NFL said new officials will be hired in the following days. The league is expected to add around 6 officials the league wants to be prepared to have extras incase there is a sudden emergency or even quarantine.
As we all know the games are expected to begin on the 10th of September. There are no preseason games as agreed by the NFL players association due to the pandemic.
Players already passed their deadline to opt out of the season with many taking the offer.
NFL Referees Association executive director Scott Green said last month on-field officials are expected to wear a face covering and gloves during games. The average age of officials is in the 50s, close to the high-risk range for COVID-19.
Also read : List of all NFL Players who have opted out
