Report: Longtime NFL Officiating Boss Is Stepping Down

https://thespun.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTgzMTI4MTg3OTY2MTM3NzYz/houston-texans-v-denver-broncos.jpg

18/04/2024 04:34

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 23: A detail of the uniform and whistle of an NFL referee as he oversees the action between the Houston Texans and the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Texans defeated the Broncos 31-25. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

One of the highest-ranking members of the NFL's officiating contingent is stepping down.

According to Ben Austro of Football Zebras, NFL senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson will be stepping down from the position, effective May 1.

Anderson has spent more than two decades in the NFL, working as an official for 17 years before moving to the league office after the 2019 season.

Anderson is expected to remain a league employee, working in replay operations.

With Anderson stepping down from his current role, the league is now able to hire his son Derek, who currently works as a college referee in the Big 12.

The league's human resources office prohibited Derek Anderson from becoming an on-field official last season.

The NFL is set to undergo more rule changes for the 2024 season, with the biggest change coming on kickoffs.

The play will look very different next season, as the league will follow the format of spring leagues like the XFL and UFL.

Players will not be allowed to run at the receiving team until the ball is caught or it touches the ground, a change that the league is hoping will result in fewer injuries on kickoffs.

Another change the NFL is making is banning the "hip drop" tackle after several players were injured by the technique in 2023.

Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews missed several games after being taken down by a hip drop tackle, and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was a proponent of banning it.

The NFL could look very different from a rules standpoint next season, and one of the major influences on how games are officiated has just stepped down.