BREAKING NEWS: The NFL announced that Tra Blake has been demoted after 3 seasons as an NFL head referee. He was in charge of the crew that had the no-call on the blatant facemask on Sam Darnold last season against the Rams…. 

The NFL has officially demoted referee Tra Blake after three seasons as a head official, following a controversial missed facemask penalty during a 2024 game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams. Blake, who had been the referee for the game, admitted that he did not see the facemask violation on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, which occurred during a safety that effectively sealed the Rams’ 30–20 victory. He explained that both he and the umpire were blocked from viewing the play, leading to the non-call

The missed call sparked widespread criticism, with many fans and analysts questioning the officiating standards. Blake’s explanation was met with skepticism, as visual evidence suggested he was in close proximity to the incident. The NFL has reassigned Blake to his previous position as an umpire, replacing him with Alex Moore as the head referee for the 2025 season

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about officiating accountability in the NFL. The league has faced increasing scrutiny over missed calls and the transparency of explanations provided by officials. As the 2025 season approaches, the NFL’s commitment to improving officiating standards and maintaining the integrity of the game remains under close observation.