johnnysama 892 Posted February 8, 2014 Pardon me if I haven't noticed this lately, but in the past few years, I noticed the short pants/high socks combo on NFL refs has been(?) phased out in favor of the 'slacks' look. When did this start to happen? 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phutmasterflex 1,195 Posted February 8, 2014 2012 was the first season in which all pants were black 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SFCOM1 168 Posted February 8, 2014 (edited) Yea. And it has filtered down to the College and HS ranks as well. Just the size of the striping is smaller. College is 1 1/2" width, with HS being a 1" stripe. A lot of refs have welcomed the change as the old white "Knickers" had a tendency to cause leg cramping and muscle fatige. Edited February 8, 2014 by SFCOM1 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timmy b 1 Posted February 8, 2014 Before 2006, when the long black pants first appeared, the only other season that pro refs wore long pants, you have to go back to 1940, when officials wore long white trousers with the white shirts (and bow tie) and the optional white newsboy caps. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites