Pete Morelli
- Referee: 135 – Pete Morelli
- Umpire: 76 – Darrell Jenkins
- Head Linesman: 54 – George Hayward
- Line Judge: 62 – Chuck Stewart
- Field Judge: 58 – Jim Saracino
- Side Judge: 103 – Jeff Lamberth
- Back Judge: 61 – Keith Ferguson
Pete Morelli (born 1952) is an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) since 1997. Morelli began as a field judge (later a back judge when the league swapped position names in 1998) and was promoted to referee with the start of the 2003 NFL season following the retirements of Dick Hantak and Bob McElwee. He wears the uniform number 135.
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
interpretation on the rule pilon in the end zone????? is it out of bounds in the end zone ????? DENNIS VALENTYNE PACKERS QB CLUB APPLETON WI> MY HOME PHONE IS 920 257 8440
The pylons in the end zone are considered part of the end
zone. If the ball touches the pylon before a part of the player’s body either touches out of bounds or is down in bounds, it is considered a touchdown.
did you happen to see the body slam out of bounds vik game ref right there????? of course no call viks easy schedule touch farve 5,ooo fines up to 3 so far tv ratings up when farve plays you bet as they want to see him carried off into la la land so he can read his own press ME me ME
That was a good holding call by Tom Brady. But he’s not a ref.
Pete Morelli, What a pathetic piece of shit. Your a crook Morelli ,why don’t you get into politics.
This guy single handedly delivered a late Christmas gift to the steelers at the expense of the ravens and fair competition. Thankfully, for the NFL’s sake, that game won’t have much bearing on the playoff race. This guy better not be in the playoffs!
I hope this guy does not call any of the pivotal week 17 games in the AFC. Where did the NFL get him, the professional wrestling racket?
This not Pete’s crew this year. I just wanted to let you know. also, for todays NFC championship, he will have different guys. I can let you know the crew make-up if you want it. Thanks
Did Pete Morelli serve in Vietnam in 1968 in the 4th Infantry Division?
Tony Mirando
No, I haven’t seen that in any of his bios. Besides, he would’ve just been 16….
I have always though that the referees were “CROOKS” and crooked as hell……after whatching the “Vikings” and the NO Saints
game I know it. I have never in my 72 years seen a game that was SO POORLY REFERED. Just a little biased, I just hope they get thier due’s . It’s to bad they can not be consistent in thier calls. I’m woundering what this game cost the NO saints……I know they had to buy it!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you understand my feelings after the rotten job they did!!!!!
fbofshl, would you please list the crew for NO/MIN game. I want to make sure they are all fired within the week for the complete bullshit they pulled in this game. Oh, and if you happen to have any of their home addresses / names of family members / childrens’ schools, etc., please be sure to let us know them as well. Thanks.
the officiating was off in the regulation, but not horrible. the Vikings had the chance to win, but Favre threw the INT.
In overtime however, the refs broke down. The DPI was crap, as was the completion to Henderson, which obviously hit the turf, also, the 4th down conversation was a bad spot, but i think he had gotten it anyways…
Corrente did great earlier today though.
I agree to the Corrente comment…he did great…Morrelli called a really bad game though…I was for the Saints but that was disgraceful!!
Two weeks in a row the refs seemed to have it out for Minnesota… This time, they succeeded. I guess the NFL wanted the Katrina story in the Super Bowl. Also, was the New Orleans defensive game plan just to cheap shot Favre? There should be some fines levied.
I agree the officiating was horrible in this game. One TD that shouldn’t have been, plus numerous poor/missed calls. And in OT? Could the calling have been worse? I’m not saying the Vikings didn’t make their own mistakes, but they lost this game because of the refs. I too am curious – just how much did the saints have to play for this win? Must make the Saints feel real good to know they can’t win on their own.
How much did the saints have to PAY (not play) for this win.
F you, his officiating was out of line. In OT on the play Pass Interference was called Jared Allen was the recipient of a bear hug in Morelli’s direct line of sight…so call. The replay official tried to correct several errors in OT and Pete refused to do the right thing.
The Vikes tried to give away the game enough, they didn’t need that waste of oxygen to make sure NO made it to the Super Bowl. Looks like someone had money on the game.
I am a Cowboy fan and didn’t really give a shit who won. But I have to say I was SHOCKED by the ref calls I saw (esp at the end). I’m sorry to say but it looks as if the bastards are rigging the NFL now to meet their own BS agenda that no one cares about (i.e. Hurricane Katrina). More games like this and I will be a RETIRED NFL VIEWER. Might as well start watching Wrestling.
i hear ya the refs need to go back to there 1 st job hire fulltime refs who can be fired for there bulls8ht mistake f the nfl no longer will i pay for the games or nfl ticket going support ice skating much better for the fans lmao
Seriously dude… you better hope nothing happens to the guy… you are borderline hitting criminal shit. Take the address off!!!
I AM a Saints fan so I’m glad to see them get to the Super Bowl, but I must admit how crappy the “officiating” was, particularly the DPI call in overtime, the ball was uncatchable and the guy fell down on his own in the first place, there was no interference whatsoever. Pro Football is barely above Wrestling on the Pro Sports Ladder. The Vikings really got the shaft on this one.
ya the worst was the high/low hit on farve the ref standing right there no call what the hell is the brady rule for i wish the refs would get clocked like that f them no good lawyers or what ever they think they are they should be looked in to the pay outs from vegas baby f the nfl
Do you want to get even with refs boycott watching the superbowl get the word out!!!!!!! I have no reason to watch the game with refs on the way that they screw up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey tom with ya but the best thing to do dont whatch or buy or go to anything with the NFL go to and support the the indoor league f the NFL come everyone get with it until they change the officals all of them
What a surprise–Viking fans griping about the officiating in a game where their team lost. None of the analysts are mentioning the officiating. They all agree it was a stupid 12-men-in-the-huddle mistake and an even stupider interception thrown by Favre that cost the Viks the game. Anybody who knows Morelli knows him to be a saint. To cast aspersions on his integrity or on his ability to do his job is reprehensible. For 12 years he’s met the 97.5% standard for correctness that all NFL officials must meet. None of you whiners are that good in your own jobs. Lay off. Geez, an NFL conspiracy??? You don’t think the NFL would’ve preferred to see Favre in the Superbowl?
That PI call in the OT was a curious call IMO. Nonetheless, the Vikings have no one to blame but themselves. They should’ve closed the deal in regulation and failed to do so.
Yes, the Vikings made more mistakes than they should have. However, despite these errors, they were dominating the Saints. Their were several late hits on Favre that should have been called; and the OT calls were wrong. All the analysts and coaches KNOW the officiating was horrible but all are too worried about the fines that come with speaking out against the officials. Morelli sucks. He is the worst official I have ever seen. And yes, it is politics and/or money prompting his calls – NOT truth nor respect for the game. The Saints were wanted in over the Vikes for many reasons. And this game was not the only game this has happened to, nor are the Vikings the only team. Morelli has always had his own agenda and he has NO integrity. People are just too scared of fines to say anything.
Yeah the Vikes had 5 turnovers in regulation but that score ended up tied. The OT is a whole new game altogether. The refs 100% threw the game to the Saints with the worst officiating I have ever sen in a championship game. The Vikes dominated the Saints the entire game. Only the 5 turnovers made it close with two of those turnovers in the Saint’s red zone!
Personally, I’d love to see the officials in the NFL receive fines for bad behavior like the players. Morelli should have to give back his paycheck for this game.
It was not Morelli who threw the flag. It was either the field judge, side judge or back judge who threw the flag. So, it should be on that particular individual and not Morelli. Or another individual on that crew should’ve gone to the flag thrower and said the pass was uncatchable.
Morelli is responsible for his crew John. They should be all fined their paychecks for that debacle.
hey mark are you gay or what did you hear the game being called about the bulls7th call on farve late hit ? its called the brady rule i heart it you must be a son of the dumb refs
who said they were vikings fans?,, wow,, you either didn’t watch the game or are a saints fan… yes the vikes made their mistakes, the fumbles and interception etc.. but point is, the 3 calls in ot cost them the win…
The lack of calls for late hits and hits leading with the helmet against Brett Favre were a disgrace. There is no way they would have allowed Peyton Manning or Tom Brady to endure that kind of unsportsmanslike abuse after the whistle.
However, the OT reviews and OT penalty calls were even more pathetic. Greenway stopped the Saints on 4th down, and the replay made it more than obvious . The Defensive pass interference call against Leber was ridiculous. Meachem’s incomplete bobbled pass that was ruled a catch was the only thing that put NO into field goal range … on a 3rd and 14 … unbelievable.
Pete Morelli and his crew ABSOLUTELY prevented Minnestoa from rightfully getting the ball back in OT. Minn may have turned the ball over a half dozen times, but the simple fact is that they dominated the Saints in every aspect of the game; and they were still only a coin toss and 3 bad calls away from the win.
I will not be watching the Superbowl or any other NFL games. Thanks for ruining my lifelong love of the sport Pete Morelli!
Horribly called game, one of the worst I’ve ever seen.
I wrote about it, too, because I was SO ANGRY watching it with my son, my son who wants to play NFL football more than anything when he grows up. How the hell could I let him now, knowing stupid crap refs like this exist? Wonder how much they paid him to get NO into the Super Bowl…
Next, we’ll find out the coin used in OT had two heads.
Except the Vikings called heads.
There is nothing worse in sports when poor officiating impacts the result of a game. It is magnified when it happens in a game that decides who plays for the championship. The NFL is dealing with just this problem tonight, as Pete Morrelli’s crew totally dropped the ball with their erroneous calls that led to a New Orleans Saints overtime victory and a spot in the Super Bowl.
Vikings Robbed By RefereesSaints Fans Rollick In Delight
During the overtime period, Morrelli’s crew had five erronous calls over a stretch of five plays where poor judgment was displayed, each time in favor of the Saints. The first error occurred on the spot of a Devery Henderson catch that gave the Saints about an extra half yard to the first down marker on third down. Despite clear evidence that it was a beneficial spot, backed up by Fox’s Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, the booth review didn’t change the spot.
On the very next play, fourth down, Pierre Thomas dive-bombed over top his line at what appeared to be a clear first down with forward momentum. Hold the phone.
Replays showed that Thomas lost secure control of the ball, meaning that forward momentum no longer applied. Viking ball right? After a booth review, and again there is clear evidence that Thomas lost secure control, no change of spot occurred on the ball.
Now with a fresh set of downs thanks to the gratuitous nature of the officials, Brees drops back to pass. First, Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen is tackled from behind by Saints guard Jhari Evans. A textbook hold that they teach NFL officials the first day of training. No call.
To make matters worse, the referees decided to call a pass interference on the play against Ben Leber. First, Leber never even made physical contact with the intended receiver, David Thomas. Slow motion replay shows no contact occurred and Fox’s Aikman questioned whether contact was made. Second, the ball was overthrown by seven yards. Thomas turned to make the catch at the 30 yard line, the ball landed on the 23 yard line. This is what the rule book terms uncatchable.
After planting Reggie Bush into the ground for a 5 yard loss, the final nail was placed into the coffin by the referees. Brees delivers a pass over the middle to Robert Meachem. The pass was ruled a catch on the field. Clear replay evidence shows that Meachem never caught the ball, only trapped it against his leg before the ball touched the ground. Again textbook rule says no catch and once again, Fox’s Aikman says the pass should be ruled an incomplete pass.
Not today folks. Booth review rules that it was a catch, setting up the Saints for the game winning field goal that Garrett Hartley would knock down the middle.
The NFL owes the Minnesota Vikings and their fans an apology for allowing such behavior by their officials who blew the most simpliest and basic calls even with instant reply.
Hopefully, Perriera will explain where the crew came from on these calls this week on NFL Network.
na the NFL doesnt own the fans or viking anything but to not allow the refs to ever call another nfl game in there life let them go back to high school were they belong or may be grade school and also the packer card game was the start of all the bull crap superbowl is going to be a joke i called it after the packer game that it would only get worst and it did boycott the NFL
“Second, the ball was overthrown by seven yards. Thomas turned to make the catch at the 30 yard line, the ball landed on the 23 yard line. This is what the rule book terms uncatchable.”
What is the distance in rule book?
Physics 101 says velocity and angle should be applied to your equation.
I have been a Vikings fan since 1969 and perhaps madder than anyone for Morelli and his gang throwing the Vikes under the bus for the Saints and their FEMA freeloading fans. BUT I won’t waste a long distance phone call on him. I will vent here with all my friends.
What pisses me off most is even with the bad calls and the fumbles those bastards were outplayed hands down.
Cry babies! Who was penalized most in the game, and at crucial times, to keep Vikings drives alive? Loadholt was holding all game and not penalized once! Keep on crying Vikings fans… the Saints are headed to the Super Bowl, and not because of the officiating, but because the Vikings failed to take care of business!
willie you dumb — i hope the ocean comes and takes that part of the country away i wont help your —- rear this time dont know want game you seen and im not a viking fan either lmao
steve, you da DUMMY, boy… ain’t a Saints fan and ain,t from New Orleans… GO PACK!
I can remember the ending to the Cards Packers game this playoff year where Aaron Rogers was tackled by his facemask in the full view of the referee in the last play of that playoff game. Of course, the mugging caused the fumble that won the game for the Cards in OT. What is with these refs in OT? Why do they hate the NFC North teams?
There is no excuse for the play calling on the NFC Championship game, these refs sucked big time and they should get demoted for this. First time in how long the Vikings get a shot at the super bowl and to have it taking away from refs like this crew is not acceptable.
For all u dumb@ss Aints fans we will try to explain it to you AGAIN!
The 5 Vikings turnovers DID NOT LOOSE THE GAME! They only put the game into overtime! Once the game was in OT the refs took over and won the game for the Aints with 3 bad calls! Read football blogs all over the internet you idiots! EVERYONE knows the Vikes got screwed and you are in the Super Bowl ONLY because of Pete Morelli and his gang! Pick that Louisianna swamp grass out of your ears and listen to what football fans across the country are saying!
What does the sports world say about the game?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRd5jkJ1dEo
Pete, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. The world was watching, how can such obvious call be inadvertently missed. It is a sad day when the officials’ calls (or lack of them) define the outcome of a NFL playoff game. Wow, the NFL fines a Saints’ player for a low hit on Brett Favre and there was no penalty flag???? Shame on you!
Peter Morelli is the principal of my old high school. Honestly, he’s not an unfair man. If you’d walk past him on any given day, he’d love to chat about football or any given subject with a smile on his face. You’d never know he was a ref in the NFL unless you saw him on television.
Pete Morelli’s crew made the worst calls in the NFC Championship Game. He is my least favorite ref in the NFL!!
I hope Pete is officiating high school football this year. He needs to stay out of the NFL.
Anyone know how to e-mail the NFL Commissioner? (It probably wouldn’t do any good but would love to send him this page of comments. It’s pretty sad, isn’t it, how bad the calls were by the refs in that game (Vikes vs Taints). I just rewatched it tonight 8/28/2010 and couldn’t believe it. I actually wrote down all the plays that were bad/questionable. The bloggers Jim, Canterbury & Brandi have it right and outline the plays and obvious bad calls that occurred. Does anyone know what can be done to refs who obviously miss calls like this? Can they be fined/fired? Would love to know. Thanks!!