NFL clarifies why Ed Hochuli called someone 'Jungle Boy'

NFL clarifies why Ed Hochuli called someone ‘Jungle Boy’

By Josh Hill | Jan 3, 2015

Jan 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; NFL referee Ed Hochuli (85) makes a call during the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Ed Hochuli is perhaps the best NFL official in the history of officiating, but everyone was wondering why he called someone ‘jungle boy’ in the middle of an NFC Wild Card game.

The Carolina Panthers very convincingly won their NFC Wild Card matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday afternoon, but there was something other than the game that captured the attention of fans watching at home.

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Lead official for the game, Ed Hochuli, accidentally had a hot mic when he referred to someone as ‘jungle boy’ before making a review call. The play was good, but it ended up being irrelevant against the curiosity of those trying to figure out just what the hell he meant by it.

According to head of NFL officiating Dean Blandino, the reference wasn’t sinister and was just a reference to someone inside the head of officiating office.

For those asking Hochuli did make a reference to "Jungle Boy" in the 3rd Qtr. He was referring to Replay Official Tom Sifferman (cont.)
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 4, 2015

That is Sifferman's nickname on his crew. Hochuli mistakenly opened up his stadium mic, instead of his wireless mic to the other officials.
— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 4, 2015

That still doesn’t explain why Hochuli has jungle boy as nickname for one of the head officials. It’s not like it really matters, but given how poor the game ended up being at the end of the day, Ed Hochuli was the most exciting and interesting part of the game.

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