With the experimental coach’s challenge rules for the 2019 football season, a black market has sprung up for dealing red challenge flags to NFL coaches!

Normally the officiating crew closely monitors the location of their NFL branded challenge flags before and after the game. However, since the start of the season, several of them have disappeared! We’ve even seen a few knock-off flags make appearances on the field. And of course, the unsuspecting refs had to honor the false flags.

For the remainder of the season, before the referees will accept a coach’s challenge, the flag will first be inspected for authenticity.