Ref Played Bird, Quarterback Played Randy Johnson
It hasn't been added to the above YouTube classic "Poor Referees" yet, but one of the officials in Sunday's Patriots-Jaguars game was hospitalized after he got drilled in the neck by a pass from Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard.
Umpire Garth DeFelice couldn't get out of the way in time when Garrard threw a pass over the middle, and when he turned away from the ball, it hit him and he dropped like a sack of potatoes. DeFelice stayed on the ground for several minutes, but he eventually walked off the field. Garrard, showing class, approached DeFelice afterward and appeared to say, "Sorry," instead of "Get the hell out of the way, you old fart. It was third down and we needed that play."
This wasn't DeFelice's first on-field injury. Last season he suffered a concussion when he was trampled during a Redskins-Broncos game. Not that I'm totally lacking in sympathy, but at some point shouldn't the NFL make an ability to get out of the way a requirement of this job?
Umpire Injured During Patriots-Jaguars Game [ Associated Press] The Hits Keep Coming for One NFL Official [ Sporting News]
Potential Landing Spots for Brandon Aiyuk After 49ers Exit
Baker Mayfield Can't Stop Talking About the Cleveland Browns
The Three Biggest 2026 NBA All-Star Starter Snubs
Why John Harbaugh Is Exactly What the New York Giants Needed
Why the Detroit Lions’ Drew Petzing Hire Makes No Sense
- Sunday January 18th College Basketball Betting Picks, Predictions
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots NFL Playoffs Betting Picks, Predictions
- NFL Divisional Round 2026 Best Bets, Picks, Predictions
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos Divisional Round Betting Picks
- Top NBA Betting Picks Tonight: Clippers-Raptors, Wolves-Rockets, Wizards-Kings
- Thursday Jan. 16 NHL Betting Picks: Lightning vs. Blues, Panthers vs. Hurricanes
- Thursday NBA Betting Picks: Three Best Bets Before a Big Sports Weekend

