PART ONE: A HARDER JOB THAN IT LOOKS
Pursuing Perfection–Chasing the Impossible
The Immaculate Reception; A Difficult Call–What Really Happened?
Judging Chaos–Much Faster Than the Fastest College Game
Nobody’s Perfect, But You’d Better Not Screw Up–Mistakes and Recoveries
Shooting the Messenger–Make the Right Call, Get a Death Threat
An Unusually Hostile Work Environment–Abuse From Coaches, Players, and Fans
Self Defense–Taking Abuse When You Can’t Give it Back
With Friends Like These–Practical Jokes to Loosen the Tension
Climbing the Learning Curve–A Rookie’s Education
Not Your Typical Part-Time Job–Six Miles on the Field; Hours and Hours to Prepare
Challenging Even for a Philadelphia Lawyer–NFL Rules are Complicated
PART TWO: WHO WOULD WANT THIS JOB?
Working Two Games–They Don’t Quit their Day Jobs
Humble Origins–Working to the Top
Joining the Elite–Invited Into the NFL
Balancing on the High Wire–At Work in Parallel Worlds
PART THREE: BECOMING THE THIRD TEAM AND MORE
The Third Team on the Field–A Team Game, Even for the Officials
Who’s Watching Whom–Job Descriptions
The White Hat–The Referee Wears Several Hats
Instant Replay–Getting it Right
The Fraternity–A Brotherhood
Standing at the Top–Among the Finest
Driven to be the Best–The NFL Official’s Heart and Passion
