In Saturday’s Bullets, we discussed how Friday’s ground stop issued by the Federal Aviation Administration would impact football — at both college and NFL levels. Today, we know exactly what it looks like. And for four of the league’s officials, these unprecedented times are leading to something unheard of in terms of a weekend work schedule.
Four NFL officials will be double-dipping on Sunday. This is how the double-shift will work, via ESPN:
Referee Don Willard, umpire Terry Killens, field judge Jabir Walker and side judge Justin Larrew all will work the Dolphins-Colts game at 1 p.m. ET in Indianapolis before driving 110 miles to Cincinnati for the Steelers-Bengals nightcap, which kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET.
The adjusted assignments are part of the NFL’s wider plan to reassign officials to games within driving distance of their hometowns.
Willard, who normally works as a side judge, instead will referee both games Sunday. The league announced Sunday morning that Killens, Walker and Larrew would join Willard in the unusual double assignment.
Wow! So not only are we getting officials working doubleheaders in two different destinations, but we’re also seeing an official who works as a side judge get to wear the white hat and be the referee for two games. This is nuts. I’ve never been so glad to have the Bears on the bye. Not only for the sake of players, coaches, and staffers who would be traveling, but also because of this officiating situation.
Oct 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson talks with an official during the first half against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn ImagesMore from NFL Referees Association Executive Director Scott Green, via The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero:
“This is a unique and unprecedented situation that has required all of our officials to make adjustments, and in some cases, travel many miles by car to get to their game sites. However, over the course of their careers, all officials have faced unpublicized travel and other assorted issues, meaning they have experience working in less than ideal situations, in many games across all levels of play. Our members will do what they have always done, which is work the games to the best of their ability regardless of the situation.”
This is an unenviable spot. And the fact that the NFL doesn’t have a better backup plan than to have some referees drive to a second location to officiate a second game is problematic, to say the least. But everyone is doing the best they can with what they’ve got at their disposal, which seems to be on brand across the board right now. I’ve given my fair share of guff to officials over the years. Still, I have no choice but to tip my hat to them in this situation.
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