NFL official and ex-ESPN rules analyst John Parry is stepping down from his television role to join the Buffalo Bills in a new position. This information was initially shared by the NY Post and later verified by 7 Sports. Parry will take on the role of “officiating liaison” for the Bills, a position that was previously unfilled within the team. In this capacity, Parry will assist the Bills coaching staff with various rules and challenge scenarios they may encounter.
Parry, who spent 19 seasons as an NFL official before joining ESPN, explained to Ben Austro of FootballZebras.com that officials have a different perspective on the game compared to players, coaches, and fans. He emphasized the importance of having someone in the booth to provide necessary information to teams about calls and potential outcomes of replays, such as where the ball will be spotted and the down and distance. Parry expressed his excitement about the challenge of being involved in the game again and contributing to the education of players and coaches, as well as being part of the behind-the-scenes work like preparing, analyzing film, and engaging in strategic conversations.
