Former NFL referee John Parry has left his position as a rules analyst at ESPN to take on a role as an officiating liaison for NFL teams. Parry had one year left on his contract, but the parting was amicable. Network officials said they have just begun the process of finding Parry's replacement.
Telephone conversation with Mr. Parry football zebrastated that the next destination would be announced by the team at some point, and did not want to get ahead of the announcement. In his new job, he will advise the team's coaching staff on rules issues and replay decisions.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment.
“The officials look at the game from a completely different perspective than the players, coaches and fans,” Parry said. “So, to wake someone up, [in the booth]: Hey, this is the mechanic, that's why he made that call. And no matter what happens on this replay, if they flip it, this is where you'll find the ball. The descent and distance are as follows. The clock starts with a ready-to-play clock, or you can take a timeout as it is a 10-second decisive battle. So you better start thinking about it. Would you like to try it? Would you like to do that?
Parry continued: “There's a lot of weight on the shoulders of coaches, especially when it comes to replay, because it's grown so much and it's so complex.” It's difficult to keep all data accurate. And I think there's value in having – I mean, if you're working on a team, obviously you want to win – but your job is to help the team make the right decisions, or the decisions they want. It's about making sure we have all the data for it.”
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Parry joined ESPN in 2019 and was hired immediately after Super Bowl III, the third Super Bowl of his career. At the time, ESPN reported that he had parted ways with former referee Jeff Triplett, who had spent the season with him. monday night football The booth will partially serve as an on-air event.
“I spent 20 years in the NFL. I love them and I love every aspect of what I did on the field. And when I was 53, that's when I I think I was entering my 20th year as an officiant, and I've done it all…I've been in the NFL for 20 years, I've been to three Super Bowls, I've been to three championships, and guess what? Or?
“And as much as I loved it, it was weird that ESPN reached out after Super Bowl III and said, 'Are you interested?'”
Parry began working as a replay official in the NFL in 1999, the first season of the current challenge-based system. He was moved to assistant referee in 2000 and promoted to referee in 2008. He served as an assistant referee in Super Bowl 41 and as the referee in Super Bowls 46 and 33. He is one of seven officials who worked in an officiating position at a Super Bowl after working at a different field position at another Super Bowl.
He started officiating at a young age thanks to his father, David Parry, a Big Ten and NFL executive he admired. John Parry remembers a group of NFL officials quizzing each other on rules and mechanics in his home, with his father an indispensable guide to the pros. The older Parry became the Big Ten official coordinator and then the national coordinator. The award is given to recognize the professionalism and leadership of conference coordinators in all areas of college football and is named in honor of David Parry.
John Parry also made it to the NFL through the Big Ten Conference.
One network official said Mr. Parry was well-liked and was sad to see him go. Parry had the same feelings for everyone he worked with.
“From top to bottom, they were great. [ESPN chairman] Jimmy Pitaro all the way to the back end.People who work seriously and work diligently monday night football in different cities. My time there was wonderful. I love them all. they treated me well. He ended up working with everyone from Joe Tessitore to Steve Levy to Brian Gries to Louis Riddick. [Monday Night] countdownand Joe [Buck] and troy [Aikman] Just watching what they do. They were very good and everything was positive. So, I have nothing but glowing praise for the broadcast and the system. ”
Parry said he enjoyed his time at ESPN, but something was missing from his time as host. He also said he feels he is in the “fourth quarter” of his career now that he is 59 years old.
“Ultimately, I'm going to miss not being able to compete, but I hope this is an opportunity to get back to the arena, the challenges, the wins and losses, all the emotions you have with what we're doing.” monday night football, you would go on the air, say what you had to say, and go home. So I'm looking forward to things other than the match. Preparing, breaking down film, educating the players, being in the coach's box educating the coaches, being part of the conversation. ”
Parry also said he has been discussing various aspects and interpretations of the new rules passed by the owners in March, particularly the new kickoff rule, with outgoing senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson.
Did Parry leave the field too soon? Could he play in a fourth Super Bowl in the future?
“Yeah, I think so. But it could have happened. But what I've been preaching to my kids is trying to live with the fact that sometimes the easiest decision isn't the best.” It would have been easy to stay on the field. I was decent at work. I think it would have been easy to continue competing with the other referees for another Super Bowl. .
“Taking on the analyst role was like, 'Wow, this is going to be completely different for me, completely outside of my box.'” So there were challenges like this and that. there was. This is also true.It's just a change, an easy decision would be to leave it as is monday night football, continue what I'm doing. I know I'm comfortable there.
“this [new opportunity] You're outside your comfort zone, but that's a good thing. I get it, because it just gives you different ways to add fuel to your internal fire. ”
