NFL Officials' marks on footballs

[BVC]

Hello, first-time poster here. I primarily collect pre-war vintage items, including game-used, but recently purchased a couple of modern footballs. As a result, I was digging around looking for information on how to photo-match NFL footballs, and found an old post that describes the marks that various officials put on balls: http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/showpost.php?p=344861&postcount=11

The other information in the thread was also very helpful;e.g- explanation of 2-letter codes for determining when the footballs were manufactured. Has any attempt been made to create a more encompassing list? Thanks.

[BVC]

Is this an inappropriate topic, or simply no interest? If it's a newbie thing, I understand and will gladly go back to lurking - just thought this forum would be a good place to get such information.

[NEFAN]

Be patient, sometimes it takes a while for posts to be read. Weekends have alot more people on the site.

[BVC]

okay, thanks for the response. This was the first forum I found that had anything to do with game-used. I'll look around and see what else is out there.

[BrianK]

Here are some markings I think I've identified.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963891.jpg Al Riveron 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408964285.jpg Bill Leavy 2011
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963893.jpg Carl Cheffers 2009
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963894.jpg Carl Cheffers 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408964070.jpg Clete Blakeman 2011
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963896.jpg Ed Hochuli 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408964071.jpg Ed Hochuli 2011
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963898.jpg Jeff Triplette 2009
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408964074.jpg Jeff Triplette 2011

[BrianK]

Some more.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963900.jpg Jerome Boger 2009
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963901.jpg John Parry 2009
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963902.jpg Mike Carey 2009
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963903.jpg Pete Morelli 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963904.jpg Ron Winter 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408964075.jpg Ron Winter 2011
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963906.jpg Terry McAulay 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963907.jpg Tony Corrente 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408963908.jpg Walt Anderson 2010
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1601/959139/24515661/408964077.jpg Walt Coleman 2011

[BVC]

Thanks, Brian.

[jrhoads23]

Has anyone ever heard of ref markings on game balls when that ref is NOT doing the game? I have found images of balls being used in games with Walt Anderson's zig-zag marking when he was NOT the ref doing the game. ??? Very odd... anyone seen this before or know how it happens?

[RaiderNationPDX]

Has anyone ever heard of ref markings on game balls when that ref is NOT doing the game? I have found images of balls being used in games with Walt Anderson's zig-zag marking when he was NOT the ref doing the game. ??? Very odd... anyone seen this before or know how it happens?

This does happen; balls are sometimes reused by teams from previous weeks' games. They may or may not be marked a second time. Occasionally game balls won't be marked at all (I've had this happen with an 2010 Raiders ball; confirmed the use of an unmarked ball during that game via Getty). Referee marks are not an exact science, so there are any number of anomalies.

[BVC]

This really clears up a lot (ref marks in incorrect games), as I was recently offered some balls that looked perfect in terms of wear, and the marks looked perfect, but didn't all match the games the officials worked.

Thanks again for all the great information.

[BrianK]

This really clears up a lot (ref marks in incorrect games), as I was recently offered some balls that looked perfect in terms of wear, and the marks looked perfect, but didn't all match the games the officials worked.

I bet if you look at the previous couple of games for the team you'll find that the referee worked one of those games. As said, using a ball for several games is not uncommon.

[sctizzle]

Does anyone know if a ref would put their mark on a ball that was previously used and marked by a ref earlier in the season? Have one I'm trying to figure out that was from a home game but the ref on the ball was from a road game a few weeks earlier. Or would the next ref not need to approve the ball if a ref already marked it? Not sure if you would see multiple marks or just the first ref that gave the ball the initial approval.

Any thoughts?

[BrianK]

Does anyone know if a ref would put their mark on a ball that was previously used and marked by a ref earlier in the season? Have one I'm trying to figure out that was from a home game but the ref on the ball was from a road game a few weeks earlier. Or would the next ref not need to approve the ball if a ref already marked it? Not sure if you would see multiple marks or just the first ref that gave the ball the initial approval.

Any thoughts?

Yes, there are definitely balls with multiple marks.

[jrhoads23]

Does anyone know if a ref would put their mark on a ball that was previously used and marked by a ref earlier in the season? Have one I'm trying to figure out that was from a home game but the ref on the ball was from a road game a few weeks earlier. Or would the next ref not need to approve the ball if a ref already marked it? Not sure if you would see multiple marks or just the first ref that gave the ball the initial approval.

Any thoughts?

Yes, I have a ball with 3 different ref markings on it. Looking back at their schedule, all 3 of those refs had games in a short time span.

[jrhoads23]

Here are some more...
I am not 100% on the Walt Coleman one but I am 98%

[jrhoads23]

Here are some more...
I am not 100% on the Walt Coleman one but I am 98%

"77" looking one in black sharpie = Walt Coleman 2013 (not 100% sure on this one but pretty sure)

gold zig-zag = Walt Anderson 2013 - he seems to be using silver or gold lately and not so much black sharpie

"52" looking one in silver = Bill Vinovich 2013

"R34" in black sharpie = Clete Blakeman 2013

[BrianK]

"77" looking one in black sharpie = Walt Coleman 2013 (not 100% sure on this one but pretty sure)

gold zig-zag = Walt Anderson 2013 - he seems to be using silver or gold lately and not so much black sharpie

"52" looking one in silver = Bill Vinovich 2013

"R34" in black sharpie = Clete Blakeman 2013

Thanks for the additions. I'm sure 77 is Terry McAulay, corresponding to his uniform number.

[COWBOYS4EVR]

Who Does The "l" Under The Nfl Shield??
Ive Seen Some With That Before.

[RaidernatioN]

Anyone know who the 132 ref marking belongs to?