NFLmakeshistorywithfirst all-Black officiating crewforMNF
An all-Black TAMPA, FLA. — officiating crew worked an NFL game for the first time in league history when the Los Angeles Rams faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.
Referee Jerome Boger led the crew, which also included umpire Barry Anderson, down judge Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, side judge Dale Shaw, field judge Anthony Jeffries and back judge Greg Steed.
WhentheNFLannounced the crew was being assembled last week, league executive vice president of football operations TroyVincent hailed themove “a testament to the countless and immeasurablecontributionsofBlack officials to the game, their exemplaryperformance, and tothepower of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game.”
Five members of the crew worktogetherregularly. Johnson and Steed joined the group for Monday night’s matchup between NFC playoff contenders.
The members of the crew have a combined 89 seasons of NFL experience and have worked six Super Bowls.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians, who’s been supportive of diversity in hiring throughout the league, applauded the decision.
“Way too long coming,” Arians said. “I know a lot of thoseguys. They’re greatofficials. ... It’s a historic night, and I think it’s fantastic.
ThefirstBlackofficialinany major sport was Burl Toler, hired by the NFL in 1965.
Goff throws for 376 yards, 3 TDs in Rams’ 27-24 win vs Bucs
JaredGofflikeshowtheLos AngelesRamsareshapingup.
“We can be as good as we want to be, honestly,” the fifth-year quarterback said after Monday night’s 27-24 victory over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “We’ve got it all in front of us. Everything is there for us to take.”
Goff threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns, and Matt Gay kicked a 40-yard field goal with 2:36 remaining to lift the Rams back into first place in the NFCWest.
Goff completed 39 of 51 passes, including short scoring throws toRobertWoods, VanJeffersonandCamAkers. TheRams’defense pressured Brady all nightandsealed the win with rookie safety Jordan Fuller’s second interception of the six-time Super Bowl champion.
Goff threw a pair of interceptions, too, helping the Bucs remain close in the second half.
But when the Rams (7-3) needed him to stand tall, he reboundedtoleadthemright down the field to retake the lead after Brady tied it with his second TD pass.
“I’ve always believed in myself in any situation, but when you actually do it in a tough environment, itmakes you feel good,“Goff said.
“Jared just continued to demonstrate resilience,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I love the fact he was outstanding from the jump. We had that one little mistake, and he just kept competing. What he did in terms of leading usdownthe field at the most importantmoment was critical.”
CooperKupphad 11 receptions
for 145 yardsandWoods finished with 10 catches for 130yards. Both caught passes on the eight-play, 53-yard drive Goff led to move Los AngelesintopositionforGay’s winning kick.
Bradywas 26 of 48 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The Rams sacked him once after getting to Russell Wilson six times in the previous week’s 23-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The Bucs (7-4) fell to 1-3 in four prime-time games despite avoiding the type of slow start that hurt them in losses to the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints and nearly cost them in a narrow victory over the New York Giants.