NFL Makes Key Officiating Leadership Hires
The NFL announced the promotions of Mark Butterworth and Ramon George to senior officiating leadership roles in advance of the 2024 season.
Butterworth’s official title is vice president of replay training and development. Butterworth has been working in replay booths for the last 25 years, according to the official release, including the last seven seasons as a replay official. His new role will have him overseeing all replay officials and the replay review operation, including making decisions on coaches’ challenges and replay reviews from the league offices in New York.
George began officiating NFL games in 2016 after being promoted from the Conference USA collegiate officiating roster. George, who worked the umpire position in the offensive backfield, has worked six playoff games including two conference championship games. George has not worked a Super Bowl.
George will be responsible for the training and development of all game officials, according to the official announcement, and will also oversee recruitment of new officials.
“As part of our ongoing Officiating Improvement Plan, we have added these veteran officials who understand the game from the field up and what it takes to improve and sustain officiating long-term as a center of excellence,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Perry Fewell in a statement. “When we improve training and development, we aim for better consistency, game efficiency, accuracy, accountability, and communication across all levels of game administration.”
The league also added three veteran officials to the training staff. Former Line Judge Gary Arthur and former Umpire and Down Judge Fred Bryan will serve as coordinator coaches, working on rules application and officiating mechanics with the league’s roster of officials. Former Field Judge and Side Judge Tom Hill will work with the league on officiating recruitment programs.
