NFLPA: Player safety requires trained, pro refs

NFL player safety requires "trained, professional officials on the field," NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter said Wednesday in a statement to support the ongoing contract negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association.

The NFL has begun compiling a list of replacement officials, mostly from the low-college ranks, and plans to begin training them May 1, a source told ESPN this week. The existing collective bargaining agreement between the sides expires May 31.

Owners also approved this week a sweeping shift to centralized officiating that would be implemented in the event of an officiating work stoppage. In essence, the NFL would reallocate existing staff to its command center in New York City, where they would monitor each game, alert the replacement referee to a wide variety of potential mistakes and advise on administrative measures.

But after meeting Tuesday with NFLRA executive director Scott Green, Tretter made clear that the players' union does not support the idea of replacement officials.

"[Officials] manage the game in real time, enforce the rules, and stop situations from escalating," Tretter said. "That can't be replaced by less experienced crews or handled remotely. If player safety truly matters, trained professional officials on the field are not negotiable."

According to a joint news release, Tretter and Scott agreed that the risk of player injury will rise because "less experienced officials are more likely to miss calls or respond late in critical moments."

In a statement, Green said: "Professional officials are trained to control the game in real time. They are the first responders on the field -- maintaining order, enforcing rules, and preventing dangerous situations from escalating."