According to a league memo obtained by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala, Senior VP of Officiating Dean Blandino is leaving his post at the NFL to pursue a gig on Network Television.
As of right now, there has been no announcement of a replacement for Blandino, however, he will remain with the NFL until May 31st. Kinkhabwala and Rapoport reported that the league informed all 32 NFL teams of the matter Friday morning.
Big news: Sr VP of Officiating Dean Blandino has informed the @NFL he's leaving to take a job at a network, sources tell @AKinkhabwala & me.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 14, 2017
Blandino has been in charge of officiating since 2013 and has been a focal point for scorn from many a Lion fan over the years, especially due to the highly questionable Dallas game that saw the team exit the playoffs under questionable circumstances, or the Seattle no call, or the Calvin Johnson process call or the….
Lions fans are ecstatic over Blandino. Many (rightly) feel he personally cheated the team in playoff game in Dallas.
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) April 14, 2017
Statement from Roger Goodell:
“Dean has done an outstanding job leading our officiating staff,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement provided to all 32 NFL teams Friday. “He has been a trusted colleague and friend to so many of us around the league. Dean's knowledge of the playing rules, his tireless committment to improving the quality of NFL officiating and his unquestioned dedication to his job has earned him the respect of the entire football community.”
Statement from Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations:
“Dean has done an outstanding job leading our Officiating Department. He has been a trusted colleague and a friend to so many of us around the league. Dean's knowledge of the playing rules, his tireless commitment to improving the quality of NFL officiating and his unquestioned dedication to his job has earned him the respect of the entire football community. We wish Dean the very best.”
Statement from Detroit Lions Fans:
The World is going to rejoice with this news, especially Lions fans….NFL senior VP of officiating, Dean Blandino leaving NFL 4 TV job! pic.twitter.com/CsPxMIzFHP
— Dan Leach (@DanLeachDTM) April 14, 2017
Check out all the awesome memories we have of Dean Blandino:
https://detroitsportsnation.com/detroit-lions-news/llamorandier/after-further-review-the-nfl-has-an-officiating-problem/53407/https://detroitsportsnation.com/videos/theroar/worst-call-ever-costs-lions-a-victory-at-seattle-w-video/46855https://detroitsportsnation.com/listicle/cpoposki/top-5-calls-cost-detroit-lions/46897/
https://detroitsportsnation.com/videos/theroar/worst-call-ever-costs-lions-a-victory-at-seattle-w-video/46855
