Dean Blandino
Former NFL VP of Officiating
- Share to Facebook
- Share to X
- Share via LinkedIn
- Share via Email
- Copy permalink to clipboard Copied to clipboard
Dean Blandino is the former Vice President of Officiating for the NFL, and is currently a rules analyst for Fox Sports in addition to working with the newest iteration of the XFL as “VP of Officiating, Playing Rules Innovation.”
Blandino was first hired as an intern in the NFL’s officiating department, and after the 1994 season became a full-time employee. Blandino’s role expanded in 1999 when he was tasked with organizing instant replay—a new aspect of the game introduced that season. He served as the replay official for two Super Bowls.
In addition to the NFL, Blandino has consulted on replay officiating for the Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, Mid-American and Mountain West conferences.
After a brief time away from the league, Blandino returned to the NFL in 2012, and was promoted to VP of Officiating in 2013, succeeding Carl Johnson, who briefly held the position after Mike Pereira left the league.
As the league’s top official, Blandino oversaw the full-time hire of Sarah Thomas as the NFL’s first female official. He served as an executive producer of “Her Turf,” an award-winning documentary following three female football referees as they navigate the male-dominated field.
Blandino became a rules analyst for Fox Sports in 2017. He is involved in the network’s NFL and college football coverage. Blandino also worked with the Alliance of American Football and the XFL.
Blandino grew up in Bellmore, New York and attended Wellington C. Mepham High School, where he played tight end. He graduated from Hofstra University in 1993.
Dean'S CONTRIBUTIONS
-
Make the Call: Pickett Sneak Could Lead to Automatic 4th-Down Reviews
Dean Blandino thinks plays such as the placement of the ball on Kenny Pickett's fourth-down…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: Why a Toe Drag Is Different From a Step in NFL Rulebook
Dean Blandino breaks down why a toe drag/delay is different than a normal step when…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: 'Close' Pass Interference Call at End of SNF
Dean Blandino says he would've supported officials calling pass interference on the game's final play…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: NFL Changing Hurts Fumble to TD Was Surprising
Dean Blandino was surprised to see Jalen Hurts' fumble changed to a touchdown after seeing…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: The Rule NFL Needs to Adopt From XFL
Dean Blandino breaks down a few calls from the San Francisco 49ers–Cleveland Browns game, including…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Should Chiefs' L'Jarius Sneed Have Been Penalized for Removing His Helmet?
Dean Blandino answers whether CB L'Jarius Sneed should have been penalized for defensive pass interference…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: DJ Moore Didn't Get Right Foot Down for TD vs. Broncos
Dean Blandino says DJ Moore never got his right foot down on his touchdown at…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: Terry McLaurin's Catch vs. Eagles Must Stand as Is
Dean Blandino says it was not clear and obvious whether Terry McLaurin's toes touched the…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: Holding Call on Sauce Gardner Was Correct
Dean Blandino says he wants the New York Jets to succeed as much as the…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating
-
Make the Call: 8 In-Season Stats NFL Competition Committee Cares About
Former NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino walks us through eight trends the NFL Competition…
By Dean Blandino Former NFL VP of Officiating