PODCAST · sports
1st & 25
by Football Zebras
The Football Zebras staff conducts a 25-minute roundtable discussion on NFL officiating. Fits right in your lunch break for appointment listening!
Episodes
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Episode 42: NFL suspends 2 officials
On the latest episode of 1st & 25, we devote the entire discussion to the suspension of referee Adrian Hill and line judge Jeff Seeman. 0:00 Introduction 1:54 Jeff Seeman F-bomb 5:43 There’s an F in field 13:18 Adrian Hill suspension 17:27 Precedent of suspensions TAP HERE TO LISTEN ON YOUR...
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Episode 39: Season 3 premiere
On the premiere episode of the third season of 1st & 25, Ben draws a taunting foul, but fortunately was not ejected from the podcast. 1:15 Retirement of Steve Shaw 3:10 Philosophical questions about the use of replay 5:05 False start on the QB for abrupt movement 7:43 Replay of the clock in…
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Episode 38: Super Bowl LX and the all-star crew
On the season finale of the 1st & 25 podcast, we looked at how Shawn Smith and his all-star crew did in Super Bowl LX. We also discussed the effect of the dynamic kickoffs over the past 2 seasons, how digital measurements worked this year, a plea for an enforcement change on sideline…
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Episode 37: And then there was one
On the Conference Championship edition of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a look how the all-star crews faired in the title games, what went right, and what went wrong. We also discussed how there were a sizable number of officials that did not earn a playoff assignment, consistent with the numbers...
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Episode 36: Are these catch calls identical plays?
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a look back at the Divisional Playoffs and the National Championship Game. The process of the catch was debated on social media this week, comparing the calls in two games. Are they identical plays? Also, judging by some of the overtime pass...
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Episode 35: All quiet on the playoff front
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, postseason football is in full swing, and we noticed that there was very little said about officiating for the Wild Card Playoffs and the playoff bowl games. We also looked at current NFL system of assigning mixed crews as opposed to placing a regular…
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Episode 34: Bernie Kukar
Because of the Wild Card Playoffs, our normal recording schedule for the 1st & 25 podcast has changed this week. We will have an episode with the roundtable later this week. In the meantime, we have a special guest for this episode: 3-time Super Bowl referee and serial raconteur Bernie Kukar....
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Episode 33: The game that wouldn’t end
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a look at the crews for the upcoming NFL Wild Card Playoffs and shared our observations on who is working. Also, it was a fairly quiet quarterfinal round in college football for 15 quarters, 14 minutes, and 59 seconds. We take a look at the ending…
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Episode 32: There’s so much football that’s footballing
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we get ready for the upcoming NFL postseason. Not including the Super Bowl, what is one of the more challenging assignments? The answer may surprise you. We also took a look at some early penalties in the Steelers-Browns game that seemed to be light and…
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Episode 31: Is replay over-officiating the play?
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we took a closer look at the standards for replay reviews and how, in some unusual rulings, it seems as if we are getting some overly officious rulings. We also discussed the “fourth quarter” of the officiating season at the NFL and the upper college…
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Episode 30: ‘Go slow’
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we talked about the wind-down of the season for high school officials and how Division III officials are waiting for notifications that depend on which teams advance in the playoffs. We also mentioned how this presents an opportunity to reach graduating...
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Episode 29: Handing off the white hat after injury
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we talked about the midgame injury to referee Adrian Hill in Week 12, who handed off his white hat for umpire Roy Ellison. There also was a Sunday night game that was a little rough at the end of regulation, but the crew gathered themselves and nailed...
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Episode 28: Thanksgiving football rivalries
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we get ready for Thanksgiving by talking about high school rivalries that play on Thanksgiving morning that don’t count in the standings, but are must-win games. Our own Pat Weber shared his experience as the referee for the Chicago’s storied Prep Bowl…
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Episode 27: Sideline interference fouls should not be minimized
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at an unusual situation where Broncos coach Sean Payton and down judge Derrick Bowers collided on an interception return. To our surprise, the penalty for the sideline interference was declined, even though fouls against an official are...
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Episode 26: Former players bring new perspectives as officials
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at former NFL players who become officials and use their instincts as players to their advantage. We also discussed how in high school, some regions in a state may have slight differences in officiating mechanics. This may cause confusion...
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Episode 25: How do high school officials qualify for the postseason?
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at the start of high school playoffs and how various states determine which officials get postseason assignments. We also discussed what seems to be an increase in missed false starts at the NFL level, an intentional grounding rule that has...
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Episode 24: A plague of quick whistles and a suspended referee
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we discuss multiple instances in NFL games this weekend where a quick or erroneous whistle was to blame for a few calls. One of them involved the tush-push play where a turnover was nullified, and look how this might affect the rules governing this play.…
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Episode 23: Improving gameplay through talk-to moments
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we discussed defensive pass interference, and how two key plays differed between a flag and a no-call. We switched sides of the field to look at offensive pass interference and how receivers have used tactics to conceal their efforts to gain an advantage.…
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Episode 22: When the call is ‘No more football tonight’
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we looked at a failed trick play that negated a Lions touchdown. This recalls a similar situation in 2023 when a substitution sleight of hand went wrong. We also talked about one of our own, senior editor Mark Schultz, who was the referee at a high school...
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Episode 21: No pass interference and undefeated no more
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we looked at some of the substitution tactics that we reported last week and what officials are doing at the college and pro level to minimize gamesmanship. We examined two pass defenses that were not called defensive pass interference at the end of two...
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Episode 20: Importance of clear sideline communication
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we looked at an unusual situation that caused 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan to be unable to decline a penalty. This included a broader discussion on sideline communication and efficiency. We also talked about players celebrating too soon on an inevitable...
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Episode 19: Before the snap: Hurry-ups and hideouts
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we had extensive discussion on the presnap duties of the officials. We reviewed the situation in the Auburn-Oklahoma game where an illegal hideout was not picked up by the officials. The SEC issued a statement that there would be “appropriate...
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Episode 18: Tush Push false starts and leverage fouls
On this episode of the 1st & 25 podcast, we discussed false starts on the Eagles trademark push play, and what might happen if additional rules are added to or abolish this play. We also took a look at an unusual situation of not knowing the rules: when a kickoff lands in the landing zone, it is…
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Episode 17: An ejection 6 seconds into the season
On the season premiere of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at Jalen Carter’s ejection before the first snap of the 2025 season. We also talk about gameday officiating assistants in the coach’s booth, and how one coach may have received bad advice over his headset. We wrapped up the first...
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Episode 16: Officiating is not a Super Bowl topic
On the season finale of the 1st & 25 podcast, we take a look at Super Bowl LIX, and how the pregame discussion about the crew’s lack of experience was not an issue. We also break down some of the key calls during the game. We also took a look at some of the big stories from 2024 and what might…
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Episode 15: 'The referee can award a score if this continues'
We take a look at the possibility of a palpably unfair act in the NFL, the failed 4th & 1 in the AFC Championship Game, and the Super Bowl LIX crew.
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Episode 14: Peach Bowl targeting and postseason football
Postseason football is underway as we look at the
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does 1st & 25 have?
1st & 25 currently has 27 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is 1st & 25 about?
The Football Zebras staff conducts a 25-minute roundtable discussion on NFL officiating. Fits right in your lunch break for appointment listening!
How often does 1st & 25 release new episodes?
1st & 25 has 27 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to 1st & 25?
You can listen to 1st & 25 on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts 1st & 25?
1st & 25 is created and hosted by Football Zebras.
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