From college games to the highest levels of the NFL, Tra Blake has drawn attention — both praise and criticism. In this article, we explore his background, career trajectory, controversies, and current status. We’ll also answer common questions fans and followers often ask.
Note: This article is crafted in alignment with Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles, drawing on reliable sources and transparent analysis.
Who Is Tra Blake? – Early Life and Background
Tra Blake, full name Jerome “Tra” Blake, is an American football official currently serving in the National Football League (NFL).
Background & Education
- He attended the University of Central Florida (UCF).
- Outside of football officiating, Blake works in quality assurance for a pharmaceutical software company based in Orlando, Florida.
- He resides in Clermont, Florida.
Though his early years before officiating (e.g., childhood interests, formative influences) are not widely documented, what is clear is his steady climb through the ranks of officiating, culminating in high-profile NFL assignments.
Career Path: From College to NFL
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College & Early Officiating
Before joining the NFL, Blake built experience officiating at the collegiate level. Some highlights:
- He officiated in Conference USA and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), handling deep wing and referee positions.
- He also worked in alternative football leagues:
- Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019
- XFL in 2020
These stints helped him gain diverse exposure to rules enforcement, pace of play, and handling pressure in nontraditional settings.
Entry into the NFL
Blake joined the NFL officials roster in 2020.
- His initial position was Field Judge (or deep wing roles)
- Later, he was reassigned to Umpire in 2021
Roles, Promotions, and Reassignments
Over time, his responsibilities shifted:
- 2022: Promoted to Referee, following the retirement of Tony Corrente.
- 2025: Reassigned back to Umpire, with Alex Moore assuming the referee role.
These changes reflect the dynamic nature of NFL officiating, where performance, crew fit, and rule changes can influence assignments.
Key Games, Stats & Crew Assignments
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Crew for 2024
In 2024, Blake led the following officiating crew:
- Referee (R): Tra Blake
- Umpire (U): Carl Paganelli
- DJ (Down Judge): Patrick Turner
- LJ (Line Judge): Tom Eaton
- FJ (Field Judge): Mearl Robinson
- SJ (Side Judge): Don Willard
- BJ (Back Judge): Grantis Bell
- RO & RA (Replay Officials): Tyler Cerimeli & Tim Robinson
Statistical Profile
Using publicly available penalty data, one can see how Blake’s crews performed:
- In 2024, his crews called approximately 190 penalties, totaling 1,430 penalty yards (excluding declined or offsetting calls).
- Their calls spanned a variety of categories (e.g., roughing the passer, defensive holding, false starts) and distributed across weeks and matchups.
- On Pro Football Reference, Blake’s roles are logged across positions: Field Judge, Referee, Side Judge, Umpire.
These stats give insight into how active his crews are and how rules are enforced under his leadership.
Controversies, Criticism & Reassignment
No prominent NFL official is free of scrutiny. Blake’s tenure has had moments that drew criticism — some virulent — and moments of repositioning by the league.
The 2024 Face Mask Miss
Perhaps the most spotlighted incident came on October 24, 2024, in a game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams. In that matchup:
- Rams linebacker Byron Young grabbed quarterback Sam Darnold by the face mask and dragged him down in the end zone, which should have been flagged as a face mask penalty (leading to a safety).
- Blake later admitted that he “did not see the face mask being pulled” due to other players obstructing his view.
- The missed call spurred heavy criticism from fans, commentators, and media outlets.
This call became a lightning rod in discussions about officiating accountability and error margins.
Broader Criticism & Reaction
- Blake’s crew also faced criticism in other games for missed or uncalled fouls (e.g., pass interference) in prior matchups.
- Some media observers and fans viewed his move back to umpire as a form of demotion due to performance critiques.
- The NFL has not officially disclosed that the 2025 reassignment was strictly performance-based; they simply announced the shift.
Implications of Reassignment
That Blake was one of only a few referees reassigned downward in recent NFL history highlights how rare and significant such moves are.
From a reputational perspective, this reassignment raises questions about internal evaluation, accountability, and how much error margin is allowed at elite levels of officiating.
Personal Life and Off-Field Work
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Outside the stadium:
- Blake works in quality assurance in the pharma/software sector in Orlando, Florida.
- He lives in Clermont, Florida, maintaining proximity to his off-field role and the broader Central Florida area.
His dual roles illustrate the reality that many NFL officials hold part-time or supplemental careers outside of officiating, adding complexity to balancing performance, fitness, and domain expertise in officiating.
Tra Blake in 2025: Current Role & Outlook
As of 2025:
- Blake has been reassigned from Referee back to Umpire.
- Alex Moore has been promoted to referee, likely taking over or reshuffling crew assignments in Blake’s former capacity.
- Crew assignments in the NFL are typically released in the spring months, so the exact composition of Blake’s future teams as umpire is pending.
Outlook & Potential
Though this shift may appear as a demotion, it doesn’t necessarily end Blake’s trajectory:
- If Blake performs strongly as an umpire, he might be reassessed or even promoted again (if circumstances allow).
- The NFL’s evaluation criteria include rule proficiency, positioning, crew harmony, and consistency — all areas Blake still has potential to influence positively.
- His experience leading crews (even if not currently leading) offers institutional knowledge and mentorship to newer officials.
In short, while his role has changed, Blake remains part of the NFL officiating ecosystem, with an opportunity to reestablish trust and authority.
Tra Blake at a Glance — Summary Table
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| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jerome “Tra” Blake |
| NFL Debut | 2020 (as Field Judge) |
| Promotions | 2022 → Referee; 2025 → reassigned to Umpire |
| Notable Crew (2024) | R: Blake; U: Paganelli; DJ: Turner; LJ: Eaton; FJ: Robinson; SJ: Willard; BJ: Bell |
| Key Controversy | Missed face mask call vs. Vikings-Rams, Oct 2024 |
| Off-Field Profession | Quality assurance director in pharma/software |
| Residence | Clermont, Florida |
| Current NFL Role | Umpire (2025) |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a referee vs. an umpire do in the NFL?
- The Referee is the lead official, responsible for general oversight, announcing penalties, managing game flow, and being the final voice in crew decisions.
- The Umpire operates nearer the line of scrimmage, watching line play, spotting infractions like holding, and working more closely with the interior players.
- Though roles differ, every NFL official must master the full ruleset, positioning, communication, and crew coordination.
2. Why was Tra Blake reassigned to umpire in 2025?
The NFL has not publicly confirmed performance as the exclusive reason. However, media reports note that his crew’s missed calls (especially the face mask incident) were under scrutiny. It is widely perceived as a demotion.
3. Will he ever be promoted back to referee?
Possibly. The NFL can reassess based on consistent performance, crew feedback, and fitting openings. But revisiting the top role is not guaranteed and depends on multiple factors beyond just ability — such as internal evaluations and time served.
4. Did Blake ever officiate a playoff or Super Bowl?
As of recent reports, Blake did not receive postseason assignments during his years as a referee.
5. Are NFL officials like Blake full-time employees?
No. Many NFL officials hold other professional roles (e.g., in business, law, software) during the offseason and sometimes even concurrently, as is the case with Blake’s role in software quality assurance.
6. How many penalties does Blake’s crew typically call?
In 2024, Blake’s crew called around 190 penalties totaling 1,430 yards, across all matchups in the season.
7. Can a referee be demoted to another position?
Yes, though it is rare. Blake became one of only a handful of referees in the Super Bowl era to be reassigned to another position (in his case, umpire).
Conclusion
Tra Blake’s story is still unfolding. From collegiate fields to the bright lights of the NFL, his path displays dedication, resilience, and the harsh scrutiny that comes with officiating at elite levels. The 2024 miscues and his 2025 reassignment mark a challenging chapter, but also a possible pivot toward redemption.
