The NFL’s “Orwellian” repeat program will go beyond the Conference Championship Sunday
The NFL’s replay system requires consistency and transparency. Recently, it has been very common to have it.
And it will be under the microscope on Sunday, during the conference championship games.
The arrival of replay help has added to the vibe that NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt described (accurately) as “Orwellian,” during a discussion last Sunday about the failure to conduct a full review of Brandin Cooks’ controversial Bills-Broncos play. What makes the situation difficult is that no one knows who makes these decisions.
There are two important questions. First, in cases where a trainer challenge is not available (e.gthe last two minutes of the half, scoring games, overtime), who starts the complete replay process? Second, if there is an official replay review, who makes the decision?
The rulebook, regarding the first question, says “[o]Only the Replay Officer or the Executive Vice President or designee may initiate a game review.” Regarding the second question, the rulebook states: “All Replay Reviews shall be conducted by the Executive Vice President or designee.”
There is one big problem. The NFL currently does not have an Executive Vice President, and apparently has not had one for nearly two years.
Here is the link to current members of an NFL football team. Perry Fewell is listed as “Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Administration.” Mark Butterworth is listed as “Vice President, Replay Training and Development.” Ramon George and George Stewart are separately identified as “Vice President, Training and Development Managers.”
Walt Anderson, who does not appear in the link of the members of the NFL football team, had been the Senior VP of Administration. In April 2024, the NFL announced that Anderson was “transitioning to new role as NFL rules analyst and club communications coordinator.”
No one was announced to replace him at that time. The following month, FootballZebras.com reported that Ramon George would be the new VP of Administration. That report was later revised to state that George will not inherit this article.
The review also reasonably predicted that the rule book would be revised, given the multiple references to the “Senior VP of Officiating.” That hasn’t happened yet.
The situation only adds to the confusion as to who, if anyone, is ultimately responsible for activating the replay process and, if activated, making the replay decision.
Here is another alliance. In a recent appearance on Purple Insider podcast, former NFL employee Maggie Robinson, who described her game day role as “literally sitting next to Walt Anderson” for two straight seasons, he says: “Walt Anderson has the last word.”
If his two years sitting next to Walt Anderson include the 2024 season (online resources don’t give a clear answer), then Anderson was still working as a manager. de facto Senior VP of Administration, even after leaving that role. (It might also suggest, given the continued failure to fill the job, that Anderson is still doing it.)
It’s amazing, frankly, that a multi-billion dollar business that’s so engaged in the active implementation of a gaming process can have a glowing donut hole on both its org chart and its playbook. Because of this, no outsider knows who makes the replay decisions or who initiates the replay in situations like the Cooks game, where the coach cannot throw a red flag.
Of all the things the NFL needs to implement immediately, this should be at the top of the list. In a perfect world, they would do it before 3:00 pm ET on Sunday, when the AFC tournament begins.
In fact, everyone involved in sports – and anyone who cares about the integrity of the game – should be looking for it.
