NFL reportedly weighing return of refs despite 2012 ‘Fail Mary’ controversy
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The NFL Referees Association and the league remain deadlocked in negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement.
If negotiations become contentious and drag on into the coming months, the league could once again turn to the referees to shut down until an agreement is reached, a possibility first reported by Pro Football Talk. ESPN reviewed emails that say the NFL has begun “laying the groundwork” to use replacement referees for next season.
If referees are used, it will be the first time that non-standard referees have been used since 2012. The contingency plan was reviewed by ESPN college football analyst Pat McAfee.
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Pat McAfee takes the stage at ESPN College GameDay before the University of Oklahoma-Michigan college football game in Norman, Oklahoma on September 6, 2025. (MAGN)
“No we can’t have high school refs in the nfl again,” the “Pat McAfee Show” host wrote on X in response to a report that replacement referees are being floated for the 2026 season.
McAfee emphasized the importance of NFL officials, emphasizing accountability and commitment to the game.
“What we need is for these scouts to understand that they are not perfect. We want them to adapt to modern technology. We want them to work for the good of the game, not just for the benefit of each other. Come and answer, we need (you). … We need you to care about the game. We need you to feel small minded. We need (you) to dedicate yourself to what we have, and enjoy what we have.”
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The labor agreement between the NFL and the referees union is expected to expire in May. McAfee, a former Indianapolis Colts star, cited the NFL controversy of 2012, when substitute referees were used and a “Fail Mary” occurred.
Fans greet the referees as they return to the football field before the Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 3, 2012 in Buffalo, New York. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“Those were bad days in the NFL. I was there, I wasn’t there to f—-g Fail Mary, which was dumb. Like the smallest things, though,” he added. “Punter, you kick the ball out of bounds, the refs say when the ball goes out of bounds. I got a f—-g junior high ref, okay, because no college refs can do it.”
The 2012 replacement umpires were mostly drawn from lower-level college officials and professional minor leagues, including the Arena League. The “Fail Mary” play took place during the “Monday Football” game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle won on a controversial decision at the end of the game.
The NFL shield logo on the field at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 25, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photos by Kirby Lee/magn)
“That’s not going to happen. But we also can’t just give total control and lack of accountability to these players. We need to work together for the good of football,” concluded McAfee.
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Last year, the NFL signaled its intention to strengthen officials with greater accountability and performance standards, saying it “remains focused on implementing changes to the contract in ways that will improve the performance of our game officials, increase accountability, and ensure that the most effective officials manage our highest quality games.”
Meanwhile, the NFLRA is reportedly opposed to at least some of the proposed changes, preferring the status quo.
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