NFL RedZone Host Scott Hanson Discusses Officiating Trends
Scott Hanson, the familiar face for millions of NFL fans each Sunday during the season, hosts “NFL RedZone.” He has a unique perspective on the game, especially when it comes to penalties—both the ones called and those that go unnoticed. Recently, an ESPN Insights report revealed that the number of accepted penalties in the NFL through Week 4 of this season is the highest it’s been in decades, with officials nullifying 17 touchdowns compared to just five in the same timeframe last year.
In a recent interview with OutKick, Hanson touched on the current state of officiating in the NFL. “I believe the NFL just put out a statement about penalties. I don’t know when people are going to watch this [we recorded on Friday, October 9], but as we are talking right here, the NFL says that penalties per game are actually down this year,” he shared, referencing the league’s public position amid ongoing debates about increasing penalty calls.
When discussing the ESPN report, he emphasized the importance of respecting all professionals involved, saying, “I really believe that NFL football is the best—this might spark debate—but it’s the best officiated among the major four sports.”
We probed Hanson about whether he felt officials were calling too many penalties during the regular season. He responded carefully, “I know people will think I’m a company man, but honestly, I think the number of penalties is less important than accuracy. And sure, there are calls that don’t go the right way. Sometimes it’s not even about rule interpretation; it’s just that human eyes can only see so fast, and there’s always going to be some human error.”
Interestingly, it was noted last week that the NFL tends to ease up on penalties during the playoffs, understanding that excessive flags can disrupt the flow of the game. This raises an intriguing question: If the league is willing to let players play in January, why do they enforce a stricter calling during the regular season?
Hanson seemed to challenge that notion, stating, “This might get me in trouble, but I’m not convinced that they call it any differently in the playoffs. Each playoff game is isolated, and every decision feels more heightened. A narrative starts to form around those games.” He added, “We assume that the NFL assembles the best crews for the playoffs based on their performance, and it wouldn’t hurt fandom to know how officials are graded. It could clarify why certain crews don’t get selected for big games.”
Later in the conversation, Hanson discussed an unexpected topic—the Historical Jesus—showing the depth of his interests outside of football. There’s a lot more to explore in that full interview if you’re interested.
It’s always great to see broadcasters like Hanson engaging in meaningful discussions. His thoughtful perspectives make for an enriching viewing experience, and fans are eager to hear more from him in the future.
