Fansided
Fansided

NFL increases collaboration with the CFL through officiating

By George Stockburger

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; NFL referee Carl Cheffers (51) gestures during the AFC Divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 18-16. Cheffers, who joined the league as a side judge in 2000 and has been a referee since 2008, will be the referee for Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; NFL referee Carl Cheffers (51) gestures during the AFC Divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs 18-16. Cheffers, who joined the league as a side judge in 2000 and has been a referee since 2008, will be the referee for Super Bowl LI. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

A growing partnership between the NFL and CFL now brings officials to the forefront

A little known program between the NFL and the Canadian Football League (CFL) will expand going into their 2017 seasons.

In a press release sent through the league communication department, the league announced six NFL officials will work with CFL crews during preseason and regular season games.

Concurrently, six CFL officials will join the NFL’s Officiating Development Program with the aspirations of potentially making a move onto the big stage.

"“Working together to develop a sustainable pipeline of highly qualified and experienced officials is in the best interest of both of our leagues,” said National Football League Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent.  “We continue to explore how to collaborate on providing more on-field experience for our officials as well as developing a broad range of football personnel.  This is a partnership that makes good sense.”"

Here’s how the officials will be integrated between the two leagues during the seasons.

"Elements of the program include attending NFL minicamps and training camps, officiating preseason games, studying position-specific film with veteran NFL officials, reviewing mechanics and analyzing rules differences between the NFL and other leagues, including the CFL and college football."

CFL Senior Vice-President, Football Glen Johnson echoed Vincent’s message of continued cooperation and development between the two leagues.

"“The CFL officials that participated in the development program last year benefited greatly from it. We’re excited that the NFL saw enough merit in it to want to expand the program. This will give more of our officials the opportunity for enhanced professional development activities in order to continue to improve their performance on the field.”"

Next: Breakout Players for 2017

The CFL season runs from the end of June through the Grey Cup on November 26, while it’s neighbor to the south runs through February with the Super Bowl.

Home/NFL News