{
  "id": 20009435,
  "title": "Steelers-Bengals will have backup referee on unheard-of schedule",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/steelers-bengals-will-have-backup-referee-on-unheard-of-schedule",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-14T16:19:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/steelers-bengals-backup-referee-unheard-161950192.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a substitute referee for Sunday night's AFC North matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Originally slated to officiate the game was veteran official Clete Blakeman, but due to unforeseen circumstances, Don Willard will be the referee for this prolonged contest. Notably, Willard, typically a side judge, will also preside over another NFL game at 1 p.m. - the Miami Dolphins versus the Indianapolis Colts. This scenario of a referee overseeing two NFL games in one day is unprecedented in recent NFL history. Viewers can tune into the Sunday night game on Channel 11.",
  "summary": "Any official, let alone the head referee, working two NFL games in one day is unprecedented in recent NFL history.",
  "key_points": [
    "Don Willard to referee Steelers-Bengals game",
    "Willard typically a side judge, not primary official",
    "Willard officiating two NFL games in one day"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}