NFL officials have to deal with a lot. Sure, they’re relatively well compensated for employees who only work one shift a week (plus prep), but they’ve got a lot on their plates. Not only do they have to interpret a dense rule book on the fly and against the scrutiny of a national audience, but they’re at constant risk of being bowled over by padded-up athletes nearly twice their size.
So let us, for a moment, take a moment to appreciate line judge Brian Bolinger. With fewer than two minutes to play in a 21-16 contest between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants, he kept his eyes on the ball as wideout Malik Heath came charging at him at the goal line, getting knocked to the turf in the process. Then, with the eyes of the nation — well, the half not watching Dolphins-Titans — upon him, he calmly dusted himself off, caught his breath, and signaled touchdown.
7 seconds between catch and touchdown signal. call the side judge TNT, because he knows drama pic.twitter.com/CzQBscSVgE
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) December 12, 2023
It wasn’t enough to deliver a comeback win for the visitors — Green Bay lost on a walk-off field goal. But it was enough to earn some appreciation in what had otherwise been a rough season for officials out there.