Overview
- The FAA issued a nationwide ground stop on Friday, Nov. 13, that grounded U.S. flights for several hours and produced more than 2,000 cancellations according to flight and government reports.
- In response the NFL moved Week 10 officials to games within driving distance, naming three backup referees to lead contests so every game could start at its scheduled kickoff time.
- Don Willard, a regular side judge who trains as a backup referee, worked the 1:00 p.m. ET Dolphins-Colts game in Indianapolis and was en route to Cincinnati to referee the 8:20 p.m. ET Steelers-Bengals game.
- The changes left at least one matchup without on-site replay staff, with the league’s New York replay center covering review duties, and produced several officials doing back-to-back assignments.
- League and former officials said reconfigured crews and double-duty schedules raise real risks of reduced crew familiarity and fatigue, which could complicate early-game management and replay operations and may prompt further review of contingency staffing.