NFL referee Don Willard to officiate two games Sunday
NFL referee Don Willard will make history Sunday. He will officiate two games in the same day, becoming the first NFL referee to do so.
Official response and confirmed impact
Video above: Boston researchers share new estimate of CTE in ex-NFL players Willard will begin his day in Indianapolis, Indiana, to referee the Miami Dolphins game against the Indianapolis Colts.
That game kicks off at 1 p.m.
He will then drive 109 miles to Cincinnati for the Sunday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.
The marathon day is happening because of Friday's Federal Aviation Administration ground stop that halted flights nationwide.
Thousands of flights were affected by the nearly five-hour ground stop, leaving passengers stranded.
In a statement, the NFL said, “Due to the ongoing nationwide impact to air travel this weekend, the NFL has adjusted its officiating assignments for Week 10 games, reassigning officials to games within driving distance of their hometowns.
The changes will necessitate that three back up referees – umpires Barry Anderson and Duane Heydt and side judge Don Willard – will work as referees in the following games: Carolina-New Orleans – Duane Heydt: Jacksonville-Tennessee – Barry Anderson: Miami-Indianapolis and Pittsburgh-Cincinnati: Don Willard.
