DEAN’S LIST
FOX’s Blandino making the grade as rules analyst
Working in the NFL command center you are a source of constant scrutiny, dissection and anger. But at least you had time.
“I didn’t realize how quick it was going to be in looking at a play and immediately going on the air,” FOX Sports analyst and former head of the NFL’s officiating department Dean Blandino said.
“Whereas before you’d have more time to evaluate the play, the referee is talking to the coach, making an announcement. At FOX, you look at the play once and you’ve got a producer in your ear saying, ‘you’re on.’ The speed of how things happen was definitely an adjustment.”
Blandino, in his first season with the network, and fellow former official Mike Pereira sit in the FOX command center, split up the games that are on the network then watch for the controversial calls. Blandino remembers his toughest call of the season came in Week 3 when a Golden Tate game-winning touchdown was overturned and a 10-second runoff immediately ended the game without the Lions being able to run another a play against the Falcons.
“That’s not one you see too often,” Blandino said.
Then there are ones you do see often.
Confusion unfolded at the end of the Steelers-Patriots game last Sunday on CBS when Jesse James’ touchdown for Pittsburgh was overturned. CBS’ Jim Nantz and Tony Romo did not initially see the slight wobble of the football as James hit the ground that changed the call, the game and the season.
“It definitely is a chal- lenge,” Blandino said of the catch rule. “The rule makes sense. We’ve been through this, the rule goes back 15-20 years. The Jesse James play and others like it look counterintuitive. You have to make fans understand that the rule is written for the officials to make the decision on the field in real time.”
Surely, someone who would offer such a passionate defense of the despised catch rule must be a humorless monster. But Blandino does not quite fit that bill. For 10 years, while he worked at the NFL, the Long Island native moonlighted as a stand-up comedian in New York City clubs.
“It’s something a friend of mine had done and thought I would be good at it. It was really a lot of fun and it really helped me in my career in the NFL and FOX,” the 46-year-old said. “Because you’re getting up in front of people, total strangers most of the time and trying to make them laugh and connect with them and that really helps when you have to get up in front of coaches, a group of owners and engage with them.”
Blandino is interested in expanding his broadcasting career beyond his current role.
“There are obviously other sports that I am interested in,” Blandino said. “FOX has the UFC and that’s something I’ve been a fan of for a long time. There’s other opportunities outside of sports with my comedic background. I like to write and do things more on the creative side. The position I am in now allows me to explore those opportunities and just see what else is out there.”
Until then, he will tell you why that wasn’t a catch.