TORONTO — Behind The Stripes, an original video documentary that takes fans inside officiating in the Canadian Football League, is now up on CFL.ca.
“The documentary uncovers a side of the game that most of us have only heard about, and even complained about, but it’s something we don’t really know about,” said documentary maker Joseph DeBenedictis.
“It is my hope that this documentary may help shed some light on the unknown – it certainly did for me.”
DeBenedictis spent hours – including an entire game day – with veteran CFL Referee Glen Johnson and his crew, shooting their pre-game meetings, video sessions, preparation at the stadium, and post mortems, as well their game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts.
Johnson also wore a microphone for the entire contest, bringing fans to the sidelines and onto the field as officials make tough calls, and have perhaps even tougher conversations with coaches and players.
“I will never watch a football game in the same way again,” said DeBenedictis, whose pre-season documentary on rookie linebacker John Surla’s journey onto a CFL roster earned positive reviews from fans and the media.
“It’s truly unbelievable how much work these guys put into doing their job, which to them isn’t a job, it’s a passion.”
Johnson, a Winnipeg native who now lives in the Toronto area, has been an official for 356 CFL games over 21 seasons, including nine Grey Cups. He and his father Gord, himself a CFL official for 16 years, hold the distinction of being the only father-and-son to have both officiated the Grey Cup.
Johnson’s crew includes Head Linesman Ron Barss, Side Judge Dave Hawkshaw, Field Judge Darryl Baron, Umpire Ben Major, Line Judge Justin McInnes, and Back Judge Jocelyn Paul.
Fans or media can view the 12-minute documentary by following the link [url]http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/20433.
“Joseph and his colleagues at CFL.ca have done a great job of capturing the intensity and camaraderie that exists within what I call the CFL’s ‘ninth team’, our officials,” said Tom Higgins, the CFL’s Director of Officiating.
“For anyone who loves our game – even if they don’t always love the guys in stripes – it’s fun and enlightening to watch.”
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
2024 CFC Prospect Game Scouting Reports: Wide Receivers Part 1
