The FAA lifted its nationwide ground stop on Friday night, but the impact will be felt on football fields Sunday.
The NFL announced that it had to adjust its officiating assignments for Week 10 games, reassigning officials to games within driving distance of their hometowns. One referee, Don Willard, will officiate two games on the same day.
“The changes will necessitate that three backup referees – umpires Barry Anderson and Duane Heydt and side judge Don Willard – will work as referees in the following games:
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Side judge Don Willard is in action during the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Denver Broncos at Lambeau Field on Sept. 22, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (Getty Images)
Carolina-New Orleans – Duane Heydt
Jacksonville-Tennessee – Barry Anderson
Miami-Indianapolis and Pittsburgh-Cincinnati – Don Willard.”
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Side judge Don Willard works during a preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Aug. 13, 2022. (Getty Images)
Shawn Smith was initially scheduled to work the Carolina Panthers-New Orleans Saints game, Alex Moore was set for the Jacksonville Jaguars- Tennessee Titans matchup, Carl Cheffers was going to referee the Miami Dolphins-Indianapolis Colts game, and Clete Blakeman was supposed to referee the Pittsburgh Steelers-Cincinnati Bengals game.
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Willard will begin the day in Indianapolis for Colts-Dolphins at 1 p.m. ET and then drive roughly 110 miles to Cincinnati to referee Steelers-Bengals at 8:20 p.m. ET. It is unknown whether Willard will be the first referee ever to work two games in one day.
Willard has been an NFL official for nine seasons.
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Side Judge Don Willard participates in the National Anthem before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 20, 2026. (Getty Images)
In the NFL’s announcement, the league said each of its 17 officiating crews has a designated backup who is trained throughout the season to fill in when needed.
The FAA’s nationwide ground stop was just the second since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. More than 2,000 flights were canceled, forcing college football teams to scramble ahead of Saturday’s games.