After FAA ground stop disrupts travel, NFL official Don Willard will referee two games in one day, league says
Ground stop reshapes assignments
The FAA lifted its nationwide ground stop Friday night, but the travel disruption prompted the NFL to revise officiating plans for Sunday’s Week 10 games. The league reassigned officials to matchups within driving distance of their hometowns.
Three backups will serve as referees: umpires Barry Anderson and Duane Heydt, along with side judge Don Willard. The NFL said the changes were necessary following the ground stop.
Willard faces two-game day
Willard is set to start in Indianapolis, refereeing the Colts-Dolphins game at 1 p.m. ET. He is then expected to drive roughly 110 miles to Cincinnati for Steelers-Bengals at 8:20 p.m. ET.
It is not known whether Willard would be the first referee to officiate two games in one day. The schedule puts two assignments several hours apart in different cities.
Other matchups also change
Shawn Smith had originally been assigned to Panthers-Saints, while Alex Moore was slated for Jaguars-Titans. Carl Cheffers was initially scheduled for Dolphins-Colts, and Clete Blakeman for Steelers-Bengals. The revised assignments move Willard into both games previously set for Cheffers and Blakeman. The changes follow the FAA’s nationwide ground stop, which was triggered by air traffic communication failures.
Key points
- The NFL adjusted Week 10 officiating assignments after the FAA ground stop disrupted travel.
- Don Willard is scheduled to referee Colts-Dolphins and Steelers-Bengals on Sunday.
- The games are set for 1 p.m. ET in Indianapolis and 8:20 p.m. ET in Cincinnati.
- Willard is expected to drive about 110 miles between the two assignments.