Alberto Riveron is next up for the NFL. The league has hired their veteran as the next Senior Vice President of Officiating, taking over for Dean Blandino. The hire puts a new name on the face of football officiating. It's also a groundbreaking move for a league looking to revamp an area of the game that has caused controversy for coaches, players, and fans in recent years.

Bringing experience to the role
Riveron has been part of the league's department for officiating since 2013. According to a release from the NFL, he has over 40 years of officiating experience in his history. He was also the first Hispanic referee in the history of the league. He will be replacing Blandino, who decided to vacate his position in order to move into a television role.

Riveron isn't the only significant new addition to the league's officiating team. Russell Yurk will be the new Vice President of Instant Replay and Administration, while Wayne …show more content…
From poor decisions on the field to...well, more poor decisions on the field, officials have been lambasted by the football community. Riveron will likely become the latest in a long line of people who become the scapegoat for controversial decisions on the field. Perhaps he will be able to address what constitutes a catch, though, one of the thornier issues in the side of the league.

One of the biggest issues facing the league is the treatment of celebrations following major plays. That's an issue that comes down from on high, but Riveron would likely have the ability to soften the blow of any penalties faced by players for their exuberant reactions. The NFL is sometimes nicknamed as the "No Fun League," a moniker they should want no part in embracing. This is the beginning of a blank slate, an opportunity for them to break free from the drudgery that has become officiating in professional football; let's see if they take the