Emergencies and unfair acts
NFL · 2026Suspensions, restarts and exceptional corrective powers.
Interrupted games
Dangerous weather, power failure or other emergencies can interrupt a game. Officials record possession, direction, ball position, down, distance, period and time so a resumed game continues from the interruption point. League authorities decide scheduling and exceptional termination questions under the emergency procedures. Spectator interference can require the field to be cleared before play resumes safely.
Exceptional unfairness
The referee can impose an equitable penalty or award a score when a non-player interferes with play. Separately, the commissioner may investigate extraordinarily unfair events that materially affect a result and order corrective action, potentially including a replay or changed result. This is not a club appeal system for ordinary officiating disagreements or routine mistakes.
Sources & approach ↗