Former NFL referee John Parry is heading from the ESPN broadcast booth to the Buffalo Bills, where he will advise coach Sean McDermott on rules and replay, the team confirmed Monday.
The move could bolster the Bills’ game-management processes relating to rules and replay. Teams sometimes hire former officials and other rules experts to serve in these roles, helping the head coach navigate an increasingly complex rulebook. Former officials can also serve as informal liaisons to the league office on officiating matters.
Parry, 59, has served as ESPN’s rules analyst since 2019. He was previously an NFL referee from 2007 to 2018 and primarily a side judge from 2000 to 2006. He worked two Super Bowls as a referee.
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