NFL officials circa 1979
 

Funny how different NFL officials used to look, back in the day compared to the 2006+ designs. Much simpler look.

It is amazing how things have changed not only in the NFL but at all levels.

I hated the stirrups because they kept coming out of my shoe. Finally taped the stirrup to the socks before each game. Thankfully, along came the one-piece.

I can remember that prior to the one-piece, I'd wear my white sock over the stirrup and it looked like the one-piece of today. I can't remember when this happened. When I started, there were no stripes on the socks.

1981 was the last year plain black stirrups were allowed.

Rule change for the 1981 season: "Officials may wear black stirrups with white northwestern stripes over white hose; this is the last year that officials may wear solid black stirrups over white hose."

ID of officials
 

#49 is Dean Look who later moved to side judge when that position was aded and worked three Super Bowls. Any ideas on the others.

Hmmmm, we're still using stirrips...I kinda like 'em!

The official in the first photo is referee Cal Lepore.

#28 is Don Wedge. #20 is Frank Sinkovitz.

REPLY: Cal Lepore also appears later on running with the background blurred. Cal was the R for the first game I ever saw 'in-person.' That was the "miracle in the Meadowlands" where that Giants chose to handoff rather than kneel on the last play of the game. Pisarcik/Csonka muffed the handoff and Herman Edwards picked up the lose ball and carried it into the endzone for a last play Eagles victory.

What a first game to attend! I always liked Cal Lepore's work.

"miracle in the Meadowlands" ???

Must be an Eagles fan! ;) Giant fans simply refer to that event as "The Fumble".

The offensive coordinator for the Giants was my former landlord, Bob Gibson, who was the head coach at Bowling Green before going to the pros. I think he lost his job over this play. Obviously, it wasn't the play call but the execution that was the problem. No one had the safe "victory formation" prior to this game. But...it didn't take long for it to come into play!

No, actually it had already been quite common, making the play call -- not just a handoff, but one from a reverse pivot -- all the stranger.

REPLY: The 'he77' I am! Been a Giants fan all my life! Call it the "The Miracle..." Call it "The Fumble." Call it "John McVay's ticket out of New York." Still qualifies as one of the bonehead plays of all time.

REPLY: By the way, the R speaking to Wedge in the third photo down I believe is Tom Dooley.

I thought the Browns had copywrite on "The Fumble":D