Retired NFL referee John Parry spent 19 years officiating games and trying to find the right calls in some high-pressure situations, including Super Bowl LIII. Now, he’s joining ESPN as an in-booth officiating analyst during game broadcasts, as other former referees have done in the past. And he doesn’t envy the officiating crew assigned to the New Orleans Saints home opener, which follows in the wake of the infamous NFC championship game non-call.
“Was it pass interference? Absolutely. Was it helmet to helmet contact? Absolutely,” Parry said during a recent conference call, referencing a play late in the title game that cost the Saints valuable field position.