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.
lol bro had to catch his breath before signaling touchdown
— Bill Hanstock (@sundownmotel) December 12, 2023
the slow roll touchdown signal
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) December 12, 2023
the DRAMA of that ref getting up to make the touchdown call lmfaooooo
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) December 12, 2023
lol the official slowly gets up, makes sure his legs are intact, then signals touchdown. cinematic
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) December 12, 2023
the 18-second wait for the ref to get back up and signal touchdown lmaaaaooooo
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) December 12, 2023
Everyone waiting for the official's signal 😂
📺: #GBvsNYG on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0LeBKvPPxF pic.twitter.com/5uPYSCkg91— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2023
Malik Heath gets a touchdown taken away
Very next play, scores a touchdown AND takes out the official. Packers have the lead pic.twitter.com/SIu78bs0FD
— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) December 12, 2023
All-time TD call by the ref.pic.twitter.com/CNXJn54l9X
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 12, 2023
The ref knew it was his moment pic.twitter.com/v4XWWYmsoj
— Gump Cathcart (@bubbagumpino) December 12, 2023
WHAT. A. CATCH.
(also shoutout the ref for recovering to make the call) pic.twitter.com/KbO27Ib9Rj
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) December 12, 2023
"OOF! … I'm OK? … I'm OK … Hang on … All right … Goddamm … Just a sec … TOUCHDOWN!!!" https://t.co/6gqtmavkgl
— Vincent Verhei (@VincentVerhei) December 12, 2023
Had to rise to his feet theatrically https://t.co/MfExrKkxbX
— Patrick Andres, Turing test champion (@PAndres2001) December 12, 2023
What a call by the side judge pic.twitter.com/yNguWWyIeU
— Zach Rosen (@ZacharySRosen) December 12, 2023
Ref calling the packers touchdown pic.twitter.com/DhPV1MXoAE
— Chaz Nimrod (@cvm31) December 12, 2023
