BRFOC in the News
‘Football officiating is a family:’ Injured Maryland police officer speaks at Blue Ridge Football Officials Clinic
By Kelly Moss – WSLS News 10 | Mar 3, 2024
In a remarkable display of resilience, Patrick Kepp, a Maryland police officer and football official took center stage to speak in Roanoke for the Blue Ridge Football Official’s Clinic.
Patrick Kepp (right) with (L-R) Chris Smith (CIP Football Officiating Supervisor), Sheriff Antonio Hash, Police Chief Scott Booth and Mayor Sherman Lea at the Blue Ridge Football Officials Clinic on March 2nd, 2024, at Hotel Roanoke.
“I see myself being back on the field this fall,” Kepp said.
Not even a year has gone by since Patrick Kepp who was working as a Maryland police officer was intentionally hit by a car while trying to put out stop sticks to catch a suspect. But his heart is set on getting back to what he loves, serving his community and football officiating.
What started as a normal shift in October turned into a nightmare landing Kepp in the hospital, having to have both legs amputated. And throughout it all his football family was right by his side.
“Football officiating is a family, and it’s people you’re going through life with you’re sacrificing a lot in your normal life to officiate to be away from your family. In those times that I needed them most throughout and after the crash. I had friends fly in from all over the place,” Kepp said.
Roanoke city leaders Mayor Sherman Lea, Sheriff Antonio Hash, and Police Chief Scott Booth were in attendance to honor Sergeant Kepp with the Star to the City. Inspiring the world of football officials as Kepp wants to be running up the field by this upcoming season.
Read more at wsls.com
Football Referees Make a Whistle Stop in Roanoke for Sold-Out Officials’ Clinic
By Christian Moody Special To The Roanoke Times | Mar 2, 2019
Retired NFL referee Gerald Austin (right) chats with current NFL officials Chad Hill (left) and Tom Hill at the Blue Ridge Football Officials Clinic on Saturday at Hotel Roanoke. Austin and Tom Hill have each officiated in three Super Bowls. Chad Hill is going into his second season.
CHRISTIAN MOODY | Special to The Roanoke Times
They prefer to be anonymous, unnoticed and out of the spotlight, but the best football officials put in hard work throughout the year to continuously improve — as well as help other officials along their journeys.
Now in their offseason, 175 people who make officiating football their avocation gathered at Hotel Roanoke on Saturday for the 11th annual Blue Ridge Football Officials Clinic. The gathering included some of the finest minds of football with regard to administering the game.
For most of the officials present, being in a room with Tom Hill and Gerald Austin, who have three Super Bowls apiece on their vitae, is an experience unto itself.
Read more at The Roanoke Times