The NFL has pulled replacement official Brian Stropolo from his duties as side judge in the New Orleans Saints-Carolina Panthers game Sunday, according to NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson. Read more after the jump.
Photographs and on Stropolo’s Facebook show him wearing Saints gear, as first reported by ESPN. However, the NFL did not confirm that the social media account was the reason for his removal. Stropolo’s Facebook account is no longer publicly available.
Anderson said the league decided to err on the side of caution as to prevent any storylines or excuses that could be related to potential conflicts in-game.
“We took the safe and appropriate measures,” Anderson said.
Stropolo also will no longer serve as the alternate in this game, since being removed. Anderson said they are taking extra steps to prevent any additional conflict, by removing him fully. Another backup replacement official will serve as the alternate.
The league said Stropolo’s support of the Saints is essentially not improper, however, they have made the decisions to replace him as a precautionary measure to prevent any future conflicts.
An NFL spokesman told NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer that alternate Tim Keese will replace the Stropolo.
