Advertise on podcast: 1st & 25

On the latest episode of 1st & 25, we devote the entire discussion to the suspension of referee Adrian Hill and line judge Jeff Seeman. 0:00 Introduction 1:54 Jeff Seeman F-bomb 5:43 There’s an F in field 13:18 Adrian Hill suspension 17:27 Precedent of suspensions TAP HERE TO LISTEN ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On the premiere episode of the third season of 1st & 25, Ben draws a taunting foul, but fortunately was not ejected from the podcast. 1:15 Retirement of Steve Shaw 3:10 Philosophical questions about the use of replay 5:05 False start on the QB for abrupt movement 7:43 Replay of the clock in Western Michigan-Michigan 17:23 Throwing motion and a passer’s intent TAP HERE TO LISTEN ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On the season finale of the 1st & 25 podcast, we looked at how Shawn Smith and his all-star crew did in Super Bowl LX. We also discussed the effect of the dynamic kickoffs over the past 2 seasons, how digital measurements worked this year, a plea for an enforcement change on sideline interference, a changing a guard in the NFL officiating elite, and the number of ejections this season. To end the season, we have our all-star crew at the roundtable: Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber have the discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 38 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP Mentioned in this episode The postseason assignments can be found here: Wild Card | Divisional | Conference Championships | Super Bowl LX A list of ejections is maintained by our partner site Quirky Research. What was said between coach Mike Vrabel and side judge Eugene Hall? We have Jomboy to thank for the breakdown. Mike Vrabel tells the referee to wake the f**k up after Stefon Diggs got punched in the helmet, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/b4kvv0OEUz — Jomboy (@Jomboy_) February 9, 2026 This play was a correct no-call by third-year field judge Jason Ledet. LX 4Q | No DPI pic.twitter.com/uLM19AJDbD — fzclips (@fzclips) February 9, 2026

On the Conference Championship edition of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a look how the all-star crews faired in the title games, what went right, and what went wrong. We also discussed how there were a sizable number of officials that did not earn a playoff assignment, consistent with the numbers last postseason. This reflects a shift that vice president of officiating Ramon George has implemented under his tenure to have increased accountability for officials in earning these assignments. On the flip side, there were a few officials that earned triple assignments in the postseason. This week, it’s our all-star crew at the roundtable: Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber have the discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 37 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a look back at the Divisional Playoffs and the National Championship Game. The process of the catch was debated on social media this week, comparing the calls in two games. Are they identical plays? Also, judging by some of the overtime pass interference calls, did the officials insert themselves into the game? We addressed both topics. And, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, as we reviewed the all-star crews assigned to the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl. We also had some quick takes on officiating a game with a banged-up playoff team, how the bowl games showed possible differences in officiating philosophies, a rare occurrence for line judge Rusty Baynes and side judge Allen Baynes, and the opinion post at Awful Announcing that the rules analyst position should be retired. This week, it’s a full crew: Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber have the discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 36 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, postseason football is in full swing, and we noticed that there was very little said about officiating for the Wild Card Playoffs and the playoff bowl games. We also looked at current NFL system of assigning mixed crews as opposed to placing a regular season crew on each game and why this is the best method of handling playoff assignments. We also look ahead to the Divisional Playoffs and potential assignments for the Conference Championship games and the Super Bowl. This week, Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, and Chris Seubert have the discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 35 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

Because of the Wild Card Playoffs, our normal recording schedule for the 1st & 25 podcast has changed this week. We will have an episode with the roundtable later this week. In the meantime, we have a special guest for this episode: 3-time Super Bowl referee and serial raconteur Bernie Kukar. Bernie shared with us his experiences with Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002, which was under heavy security, being only a few months removed from the September 11 terrorist attacks. Bernie also worked the final game John Elway played in Super Bowl XXXIII. In that game he earned a Super Bowl ring and an unusual promise for a free beer that he cashed in on. He also took us on to the field when he was injured in a late-season game and had to hand his white hat over to future referee Gene Steratore. We also asked him about an on-field discussion with Ravens coach Brian Billick who didn’t realize he was benefiting from the the ruling on the field, to which Bernie hollered words to the effect of, “Billick, you dumb bastard.” Quickly, you will see why Bernie was chosen as our first podcast guest. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 34 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP Embed from Getty Images

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a look at the crews for the upcoming NFL Wild Card Playoffs and shared our observations on who is working. Also, it was a fairly quiet quarterfinal round in college football for 15 quarters, 14 minutes, and 59 seconds. We take a look at the ending of the Sugar Bowl and address the question posed during the broadcast, “Does common sense prevail here?”. We also took a look at a couple of instances of players contacting officials and some long tenured officials who are retiring. This week, Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, and Pat Weber have the discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 33 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we get ready for the upcoming NFL postseason. Not including the Super Bowl, what is one of the more challenging assignments? The answer may surprise you. We also took a look at some early penalties in the Steelers-Browns game that seemed to be light and, as was suggested on the broadcast, a make-up call. We set the record straight. Also, we saw the Lions hit with a game-ending offensive pass interference that was questioned by many. Finally, we give praise to one official who has gone above and beyond in restoring order on the field. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 32 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a closer look at the standards for replay reviews and how, in some unusual rulings, it seems as if we are getting some overly officious rulings. We also discussed the “fourth quarter” of the officiating season at the NFL and the upper college levels, being extra vigilant for pregame activity, an ejection for contacting an official, and how a new rule has some people saying we need to nerf the kicking balls. This week’s discussion included Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 31 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we talked about the wind-down of the season for high school officials and how Division III officials are waiting for notifications that depend on which teams advance in the playoffs. We also mentioned how this presents an opportunity to reach graduating seniors in high school and college to look into officiating. We also took a virtual trip to Canton, Ohio, the site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This year, not a single official was in the first list of contributor candidates for enshrinement. We discussed how officiating has been snubbed not only in the enshrinement area, but in the Hall of Fame’s museum exhibit space. We had a few quick takes on how the NFL replay booths were busy this past week, how the catch process is still not fully understood by fans, an interesting down-by-contact ruling, and a reminder to officials to go slow. This week’s discussion included Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, and Pat Weber. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 30 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we talked about the midgame injury to referee Adrian Hill in Week 12, who handed off his white hat for umpire Roy Ellison. There also was a Sunday night game that was a little rough at the end of regulation, but the crew gathered themselves and nailed several tight calls in the overtime session. We discussed how a crew reins in a game gets out in front of them. We also had some quick takes on the false start/timeout issue with the Packers on Thanksgiving, a touchdown that was not ruled down because the runner rolled over the top of the tackler (with a wing who astutely let the play run), an unfortunate inadvertent whistle that erased a first down conversion, and how referees are making sure that captains do not make mistakes on the NFL overtime coin toss. We have an alternate official this week: Mike D the Referee from the Whistle Talk podcast joins the Football Zebras crew of Ben Austro, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 29 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP Mentioned in this episode Here are the plays mentioned in this week’s quick takes: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1636201220686349/?rdid=kEHHtFCA4SkLWkZE https://www.facebook.com/reel/1636201220686349/?rdid=kEHHtFCA4SkLWkZE

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we get ready for Thanksgiving by talking about high school rivalries that play on Thanksgiving morning that don’t count in the standings, but are must-win games. Our own Pat Weber shared his experience as the referee for the Chicago’s storied Prep Bowl, and who he worked that game with and an officiating legend who shares his unique legacy. We also took a look at how referee Phil Luckett has been maligned for decades for a seemingly botched coin toss on Thanksgiving. As we have said for many years, Phil Luckett was right, even though history doesn’t record it that way. It’s a full crew on the podcast: Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 28 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at an unusual situation where Broncos coach Sean Payton and down judge Derrick Bowers collided on an interception return. To our surprise, the penalty for the sideline interference was declined, even though fouls against an official are enforced separately. We also discussed a defensive pass interference flag that should not have been thrown, how one overtime coin flip seemed to have an error, a spitting incident that lead to a suspension, a fake tush push play, and several players this week committing celebratory acts that are clear fouls. Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, Chris Seubert, and Pat Weber have this week’s discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 27 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP

On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at former NFL players who become officials and use their instincts as players to their advantage. We also discussed how in high school, some regions in a state may have slight differences in officiating mechanics. This may cause confusion during postseason play when officials and coaches are from different regions. We also discussed how the Panthers legally recovered their own blocked kick, the state of ejections in the NFL through 10 weeks, a disjointed end to the fourth quarter in Berlin, and what could be the call of the year from Big Ten back judge Josh Dascher in the Indiana-Penn State game. Ben Austro, Mark Schultz, Cam Filipe, and Chris Seubert have this week’s discussion. TAP HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 26 ON YOUR PODCASTING APP