NFL Officiating Observatory
CREW CHIEF PROFILE
Alex Kemp: NFL referee penalty stats (2026)
Alex Kemp is an NFL referee (crew chief). In 2026, games his crew has worked average 14.0 accepted penalties over 6 games, 5% below the league's 14.7. Across 2015–25 his crew averaged 12.9 per game (125 games), a game-changers style: lots of flags, and big ones.
Calling style
Career (2015–25): Game-changers, lots of flags, and big ones. 2026 so far: Let them play.
- Calls more delay of game: 24% above the league rate
- Calls more defensive offside: 16% above the league rate
- Calls more illegal block above the waist: 20% above the league rate
Calls most like: Adrian Hill, Carl Cheffers.
Penalty types vs the league (2015–25, season-adjusted, per game)
| Penalty | Per game | vs league rate |
|---|---|---|
| Roughing the Passer | 0.52 | +27% |
| Delay of Game | 0.68 | +24% |
| Illegal Block Above the Waist | 0.46 | +20% |
| Defensive Offside | 0.67 | +16% |
| Neutral Zone Infraction | 0.52 | +13% |
| Defensive Holding | 0.84 | +11% |
| False Start | 1.99 | -10% |
| Offensive Holding | 2.60 | +5% |
| Defensive Pass Interference | 1.03 | 0% |
| Unnecessary Roughness | 0.68 | -0% |
Season by season
| Season | Games | Flags / game |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 15 | 13.1 |
| 2019 | 15 | 14.1 |
| 2020 | 17 | 12.6 |
| 2021 | 16 | 12.8 |
| 2022 | 17 | 11.3 |
| 2023 | 17 | 12.6 |
| 2024 | 17 | 13.5 |
| 2025 | 17 | 12.3 |
| 2026 | 6 | 14.0 |
Recent games
| Date | Game | Score | Flags | By team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-26 | DAL @ PHI | 38–21 | 13 | DAL 8 · PHI 5 |
| 2026-10-18 | NO @ NYG | 34–27 | 17 | NO 7 · NYG 10 |
| 2026-10-11 | HOU @ TEN | 26–3 | 18 | HOU 11 · TEN 7 |
| 2026-10-04 | GB @ TB | 17–14 | 14 | GB 10 · TB 4 |
| 2026-09-27 | NE @ JAX | 6–35 | 16 | NE 9 · JAX 7 |
| 2026-09-10 | SF @ LA | 27–7 | 6 | SF 2 · LA 4 |
| 2026-01-25 | NE @ DEN | 10–7 | 3 | NE 1 · DEN 2 |
| 2026-01-04 | CLE @ CIN | 20–18 | 10 | CLE 4 · CIN 6 |
| 2025-12-28 | NE @ NYJ | 42–10 | 7 | NE 2 · NYJ 5 |
| 2025-12-20 | GB @ CHI | 16–22 | 14 | GB 4 · CHI 10 |
Questions
How many penalties does Alex Kemp call per game?
In 2026 through Week 7, games Alex Kemp's crew worked averaged 14.0 accepted penalties and 111.3 penalty yards per game (6 games). His 2015–25 average was 12.9; the 2026 league average is 14.7.
What penalties does Alex Kemp call most?
Per game, 2015–25: offensive holding (2.60), false start (1.99), defensive pass interference (1.03). Compared with other crews: Calls more delay of game: 24% above the league rate; Calls more defensive offside: 16% above the league rate.
Does Alex Kemp call more penalties on the home team?
In 2015–25, 48% of the flags in his games were on the home team (league: 49%). Small differences like this are normal and are not evidence of bias.
Statistics reflect the crew chief's assignment; crews change around the chief each year. Patterns, not motives.