Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee [Hardcover]

Jerry Markbreit (Author), Alan Steinberg (Author), Frederick C Klein (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 2001

Drawing on his more than thirty years of experience (including a record four Super Bowls) as the NFL's top referee, Jerry Markbreit describes the hard-hitting, fast-paced NFL action from a perspective few others can match. Filled with humorous anecdotes as well as his opinions on controversial subjects and players and coaches, this book is the first comprehensive look at pro football officiating from the official's point of view -- and Markbreit's homage to the sport he has helped define.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Throughout his career, Jerry Markbreit officiated football games at virtually every level of competition, from intramural to the NFL. Not only is he probably the best-known and most recognizable referee in the history of the NFL, Markbreit was also the head referee in four Super Bowls, more than any other man at his position. Markbreit now gives motivational speeches in front of major corporations and other organizations. He and his wife Bobbie make their home in Skokie, Illinois.

Alan Steinberg is a New York Times best-selling author and novelist. In sports journalism he is known for his intimate portraits of superstars like Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, and Mickey Mantle. Steinberg's sports books include the controversial Behind the Mask with former National League baseball umpire Dave Pallone, and Rebound with former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman. His most recent best-seller is Black Profiles in Courage with basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Sports Masters (December 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583820302
• ISBN-13: 978-1583820308
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #914,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No need to review this call, January 15, 2002

By 

chris malcolm (Santa Monica, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee (Hardcover)

Jerry Markbreit is not only a veteran NFL official but an insightful author who knows how to make the game (and the rules) a wonderful read. So many "bios" are filled with fluff, but this one tells grat stories, the kind you wish you'd hear from the so-calld expert talking heads on TV. I loved this book as much as his first one, which is now rightfully a collctor's item. Anyone who considers themselves and NFL fan will enjoy this book as well as his feature "Ask Jerry Markbreit" on the Chicago Tribune's web site...Great stuf. Thank you, Mr. Markbreit.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best referee in the history of the game., October 22, 2002

By 

Mark Ewell "wreave" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee (Hardcover)

At one point in Markbreit's book, he mentions being surprised when someone recognized him on the street. This shocked me. Does he not know he's the best ref in the league?

I remember my dad first learning to recognize Markbreit (though at that time we thought his name was Markwright), and knowing that if he was officiating the game, the calls would be accurate and fair. In this book, you find out why - because he cared deeply about learning his job and performing at the absolute top level. As my dad says, "Quality of officiating usually exceeds quality of play" - this in response to the occasional bad call by a well-meaning official. When Markbreit was in charge, the truth was that "quality of officiating ALWAYS exceeds quality of play".

This book takes you through Markbreit's entire career as a ref, beginning with covering intramural football at his college, and through the NFL and multiple Super Bowls. You'll also learn the basics about how officating works, how the NFL works to ensure accurate, consistent officiating (hint: if you saw an error on TV Sunday, they'll see it on tape on Monday), and how Markbreit made it to the top of his field.

If you're a Markbreit fan, this is probably already on your bookshelf. If you're a football fan at all, and have ever even thought about what it takes to ref an NFL game, this book is for you.

Markbreit is a five-star ref. This is a four-star book for the kinds of things that make a co-written autobiography not five-star fare. It's no worse than any other co-written autobiography, and better than most, but not quite five-star material. Still, the book is excellent and will be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the game.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!!!!, March 31, 2009

By 

M. Schultz - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee (Paperback)

This book picks up where "Born to Referee" left off. If you are a fan of NFL football (especially football from the 70s, 80s, and 90s) you MUST have this book!

If you are a football official at any level, this book belongs on the night stand right next to the rule book!!