NFL Officiating Observatory
CREW CHIEF PROFILE
John Hussey: NFL referee penalty stats (2026)
John Hussey 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 11.9 per game (169 games), a few but costly style: fewer flags, bigger yardage per call.
Calling style
Career (2015–25): Few but costly, fewer flags, bigger yardage per call. 2026 so far: Let them play.
- Calls fewer illegal block above the waist: 21% below the league rate
- Calls fewer roughing the passer: 30% below the league rate
- Calls fewer defensive holding: 15% below the league rate
Calls most like: Craig Wrolstad, Clay Martin.
Penalty types vs the league (2015–25, season-adjusted, per game)
| Penalty | Per game | vs league rate |
|---|---|---|
| Roughing the Passer | 0.29 | -30% |
| Illegal Block Above the Waist | 0.30 | -21% |
| Defensive Holding | 0.65 | -15% |
| Delay of Game | 0.47 | -14% |
| Offensive Holding | 2.14 | -13% |
| Neutral Zone Infraction | 0.40 | -12% |
| Unnecessary Roughness | 0.75 | +10% |
| Defensive Offside | 0.55 | -5% |
| False Start | 2.28 | +3% |
| Defensive Pass Interference | 1.03 | +1% |
Season by season
| Season | Games | Flags / game |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 15 | 13.5 |
| 2016 | 16 | 14.5 |
| 2017 | 16 | 12.5 |
| 2018 | 16 | 12.4 |
| 2019 | 17 | 12.1 |
| 2020 | 16 | 10.9 |
| 2021 | 16 | 10.0 |
| 2022 | 17 | 9.4 |
| 2023 | 17 | 12.3 |
| 2024 | 16 | 11.4 |
| 2025 | 17 | 11.2 |
| 2026 | 6 | 14.0 |
Recent games
| Date | Game | Score | Flags | By team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-25 | KC @ SEA | 3–20 | 6 | KC 2 · SEA 4 |
| 2026-10-18 | CAR @ PHI | 25–14 | 24 | CAR 13 · PHI 11 |
| 2026-10-11 | MIN @ NO | 23–13 | 10 | MIN 4 · NO 6 |
| 2026-09-27 | BAL @ DAL | 34–31 | 16 | BAL 9 · DAL 7 |
| 2026-09-20 | JAX @ DEN | 13–20 | 13 | JAX 3 · DEN 10 |
| 2026-09-13 | TB @ CIN | 27–33 | 15 | TB 8 · CIN 7 |
| 2026-01-17 | SF @ SEA | 6–41 | 5 | SF 3 · SEA 2 |
| 2026-01-04 | GB @ MIN | 3–16 | 6 | GB 4 · MIN 2 |
| 2025-12-28 | PIT @ CLE | 6–13 | 10 | PIT 4 · CLE 6 |
| 2025-12-21 | CIN @ MIA | 45–21 | 5 | CIN 2 · MIA 3 |
Questions
How many penalties does John Hussey call per game?
In 2026 through Week 7, games John Hussey's crew worked averaged 14.0 accepted penalties and 110.3 penalty yards per game (6 games). His 2015–25 average was 11.9; the 2026 league average is 14.7.
What penalties does John Hussey call most?
Per game, 2015–25: false start (2.28), offensive holding (2.14), defensive pass interference (1.03). Compared with other crews: Calls fewer illegal block above the waist: 21% below the league rate; Calls fewer roughing the passer: 30% below the league rate.
Does John Hussey call more penalties on the home team?
In 2015–25, 49% 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.