VP of officiating Johnson heading back to field as NFL's first full-time game official

NEW YORK – NFL officiating chief Carl Johnson will head back to the field next year as the league's first full-time game official.

Johnson, who has been the league's vice president of officiating since 2010, was a line judge for nine seasons before heading into the NFL offices. His position in 2013 has not been determined.

Under the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association reached in September, the league is allowed to hire some officials on a full-time basis.

A search for the next head of the officiating department will begin in the near future, with Johnson participating in the transition to his replacement, the NFL said.

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