Ex-NFL VP Dean Blandino reveals shocking attempts to influence game officials on the field

The NFL gambling policy has created a lot of scrutiny for the referees.

Ex-NFL VP Dean Blandino reveals shocking attempts to influence game officials on the field

NFL referee (Image via IMAGO)

Being an NFL referee is a challenge, especially in the current age of media technology and the intense scrutiny candidates have to go through almost every game. That has increased tenfold since the league committee approved legalized gambling. Former Vice President of Officiating (2013–17) Dean Blandino provided his hot take on the firey topic that is unlikely to subside any time soon.

In a segment of the Awful Announcing podcast, host Brandon asked Blandino a couple of questions that most of the outside world is not privy to. The first one was obviously about the gambling scenario and how it has affected the refs calling plays.

YouTube video

Blandino said:

It’s created more scrutiny. I think it’s created more pressure, and that’s not going to change but will only increase as we move forward.
Dean Blandino on Awful Announcing

He is right in saying that it has increased the pressure on refs to make accurate calls on every play. If they falter more often and if it influences the game’s result in any shape or form, then the players will fire back.

The NFL goes to great lengths to keep the officials under their scanner. It’s mostly to observe how they go about things outside of football. Whether they are involved in gambling themselves or taking help from a third party for personal gains from the game. According to Blandino, the league sends a security representative who goes door-to-door in their neighborhood to talk to their neighbors.

Blandino revealed that the NFL committee takes every possible measure to safeguard the referees

Since the football matches are played in different venues throughout the country, the refs have to travel a lot, like the players. There have been previous instances when an official has been approached with ill intentions. According to Blandino, they are advised not to wear any official NFL merchandise during their stay at a hotel. It will help them blend in with others.

Ex-NFL VP Dean Blandino reveals shocking attempts to influence game officials on the field
NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell (Image via FOX News)

The league also goes through the bank details of every individual part of the officiating roster. If there’s an unsanctioned transaction, they will know.

Blandino added:

They look at all of your business associations. They'll look at if a game official has $10 in their bank account on Friday, and then they work a game, and now there’s $100,000; that’s a red flag.

Rodger Goodell and Co. don’t want a repeat of what happened in the NBA. The FBI uncovered a scandal involving former NBA official Tim Donaghy. During the final two seasons of his tenure as a referee, Donaghy allegedly bet on games in which he officiated.

In case you missed it: