Jeff Triplette
Encyclopedia
Jeff Triplette is an official
in the National Football League
since the 1996 season
. He wears uniform number 42. His 2011 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Jeff Rice, head linesman Phil McKinnely
, line judge Jeff Bergman, field judge Barry Anderson, side judge Dave Wyant and back judge Steve Freeman
.
colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star
for actions in the Persian Gulf War
while serving in the North Carolina Army National Guard
.
In January 2007, Triplette was named President and Chief Operating Officer of FNC, Inc., the provider of collateral management technology to the nation's largest mortgage lenders. Before joining FNC, he was Vice President for Risk Management at Duke Energy
, a large energy company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina
.
referee Jerry Markbreit
announced his retirement.
On December 19, 1999, Triplette accidentally hit the Cleveland Browns
' Orlando Brown
in the eye with a penalty flag weighed with ball bearings. Video shows that Triplette immediately apologized to Brown, who was then tended to by the medical staff, but a few minutes later, Brown attempted to rejoin the team on the field for the next play, but Triplette prevented him from entering for the next play per NFL rules which stipulate that if a player incurs an injury timeout, they must sit out the next play. Not wanting to sit out the next play, and becoming frustrated with Triplette who injured him, Brown shoved Triplette to the ground. Brown was ejected. In an interview following the game, Brown cited a pledge to defend the blindside of then Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch as the reason he wanted to return to the field so badly. The NFL suspended Brown indefinitely although the suspension became moot when the injury failed to heal and prevented Brown from returning to the NFL until 2003. The next year Brown, cut from the Browns, sued the NFL for damages. Additionally, the NFL reviewed the filling for their flags, and opted to switch to a lighter filler, most flags now contain dried corn kernels.
The next season, Triplette also accidentally struck Jacksonville Jaguars
cornerback Aaron Beasley
in the helmet.
Peyton Manning
is a frequent user of the fake spike, and "sold it" so well in a 2001 game against New Orleans
that Triplette blew the whistle to stop the play, costing the Colts
a possible touchdown.
On December 14, 2008, a scramble for a fumble late in the 4th quarter during a contest between the New York Jets
and Buffalo Bills
resulted in Triplette being knocked over by one of the players. The hit left Triplette with a bloody and swollen nose for the rest of the game.
Official (American football)
In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game.During professional and college football games, seven officials operate on the field...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
since the 1996 season
1996 NFL season
The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
. He wears uniform number 42. His 2011 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Jeff Rice, head linesman Phil McKinnely
Phil McKinnely
Philip Byron "Phil" McKinnely is a former American football offensive tackle who played seven seasons in the NFL, mainly for the Atlanta Falcons, and then in the USFL for the Memphis Showboats...
, line judge Jeff Bergman, field judge Barry Anderson, side judge Dave Wyant and back judge Steve Freeman
Steve Freeman
Steven Jay Freeman is a former American football defensive back.After playing college football at Mississippi State University, he was selected by the National Football League's New England Patriots in the 1975 NFL Draft. However, he was released by the Patriots before the start of the regular...
.
Personal
Triplette is a retired Army ReserveUnited States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for actions in the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
while serving in the North Carolina Army National Guard
North Carolina Army National Guard
The North Carolina Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army, the United States National Guard, and the North Carolina National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its...
.
In January 2007, Triplette was named President and Chief Operating Officer of FNC, Inc., the provider of collateral management technology to the nation's largest mortgage lenders. Before joining FNC, he was Vice President for Risk Management at Duke Energy
Duke Energy
Duke Energy , headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an energy company with assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.-Overview:...
, a large energy company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
Officiating career
Triplette joined the NFL as a field judge in 1996, then switched to back judge in 1998 after the NFL swapped position titles that season, and became a referee in 1999 after four-time Super BowlSuper Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
referee Jerry Markbreit
Jerry Markbreit
Jerry Markbreit is a former American football referee in the National Football League for 23 seasons and became one of the most recognizable referees in the game. Markbreit officiated football games for 43 seasons. From 1965 to 1975, Markbreit officiated college football games in the Big Ten...
announced his retirement.
On December 19, 1999, Triplette accidentally hit the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' Orlando Brown
Orlando Brown (football player)
Orlando Claude Brown was an American football player who played offensive tackle in the NFL. He attended H.D. Woodson Senior High School. He was released by the Baltimore Ravens in March, 2006, and previously played for the Cleveland Browns...
in the eye with a penalty flag weighed with ball bearings. Video shows that Triplette immediately apologized to Brown, who was then tended to by the medical staff, but a few minutes later, Brown attempted to rejoin the team on the field for the next play, but Triplette prevented him from entering for the next play per NFL rules which stipulate that if a player incurs an injury timeout, they must sit out the next play. Not wanting to sit out the next play, and becoming frustrated with Triplette who injured him, Brown shoved Triplette to the ground. Brown was ejected. In an interview following the game, Brown cited a pledge to defend the blindside of then Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch as the reason he wanted to return to the field so badly. The NFL suspended Brown indefinitely although the suspension became moot when the injury failed to heal and prevented Brown from returning to the NFL until 2003. The next year Brown, cut from the Browns, sued the NFL for damages. Additionally, the NFL reviewed the filling for their flags, and opted to switch to a lighter filler, most flags now contain dried corn kernels.
The next season, Triplette also accidentally struck Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback Aaron Beasley
Aaron Beasley
Aaron Bruce Beasley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He played collegially at West Virginia University...
in the helmet.
Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
is a frequent user of the fake spike, and "sold it" so well in a 2001 game against New Orleans
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
that Triplette blew the whistle to stop the play, costing the Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
a possible touchdown.
On December 14, 2008, a scramble for a fumble late in the 4th quarter during a contest between the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
resulted in Triplette being knocked over by one of the players. The hit left Triplette with a bloody and swollen nose for the rest of the game.