The Federal Aviation Administration’s nationwide ground stop on Friday night disrupted travel plans for many, including NFL officials scheduled for Week 10. To keep games properly staffed, the league reshuffled its officiating crews, assigning officials to games that are within driving distance of their hometowns.
Don Willard set to work two games in one day
Among the changes, veteran official Don Willard will serve as referee for two separate contests on Sunday. He will begin the day in Indianapolis for the Colts‑Dolphins matchup at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, then drive roughly 110 miles to Cincinnati to oversee the Steelers‑Bengals game at 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The NFL has not confirmed whether Willard is the first referee ever to handle two games in a single day, but the situation underscores the league’s flexibility in the face of unexpected travel disruptions.
Other officiating adjustments
The league also reassigned three backup officials to serve as head referees for other Week 10 contests:
- Umpire Barry Anderson will referee the Carolina‑New Orleans game.
- Umpire Duane Heydt will take charge of the Jacksonville‑Tennessee matchup.
- Side judge Don Willard, in addition to his double‑duty, will also serve as a referee for the Miami‑Indianapolis and Pittsburgh‑Cincinnati games.
Originally, Shawn Smith was slated to work the Panthers‑Saints game, Alex Moore the Jaguars‑Titans game, Carl Cheffers the Dolphins‑Colts game, and Clete Blakeman the Steelers‑Bengals game. The reshuffle ensures each game has a qualified crew despite the travel challenges caused by the FAA’s action.
Why the ground stop mattered
The FAA’s nationwide ground stop was only the second such event since the September 11, 2001 attacks. More than 2,000 flights were cancelled, affecting not only airline passengers but also college football teams preparing for Saturday’s games and NFL officials traveling to Sunday’s contests. By reassigning officials to games within reasonable driving distance, the league avoided further disruptions to the schedule.
League’s officiating structure
The NFL maintains a pool of 17 officiating crews, each with a designated backup who trains throughout the season to step in when needed. This system allowed the league to respond quickly to the unexpected travel impediment, demonstrating the robustness of its operational planning.
Willard, now in his ninth season as an NFL official, brings a wealth of experience to the dual assignment. His ability to manage two high‑stakes games in one day reflects both his personal dedication and the league’s confidence in its officiating personnel.
Fans can look forward to the Colts‑Dolphins and Steelers‑Bengals games as scheduled, with the assurance that the officiating crews are fully prepared despite the travel hurdles caused by the FAA’s ground stop.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
