Few people are more aware of when flags are thrown—or missed—than Hanson, who checks in and out of the biggest moments from every Sunday afternoon game.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.An ESPN Insights report last week found that NFL officials had called more accepted penalties through Week 4 than during the same span of any season since 1978.Officials had also nullified 17 touchdowns, compared to just five through four weeks last season.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!Hanson joined OutKick for a wide-ranging interview, and the state of NFL officiating was part of the discussion."I believe the NFL just put out a statement about penalties.I don't know when people are going to watch this [we recorded on Friday, October 9], but as we are talking right here, the NFL says that penalties per game are actually down this year," Hanson said, citing the league's response disputing concerns about the number of flags in 2026.NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson introduces the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, Calif., on Monday, Feb.
2, 2026.(San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)When we asked about the ESPN Insights report, Hanson said he tries to "err on the side of respect for all the professionals that are involved—players, coaches, support staff and officials."He continued, "I really believe that NFL football is the best—I know this will be controversial—is the best officiated of the major four sports."WWE'S MICHAEL COLE REFUSES TO DIP HIS TOE INTO POLITICAL WATERS, BUCKING TREND AMONG SPORTS BROADCASTERSWe next asked Hanson whether he agreed that officials are throwing too many flags, particularly during the regular season."I know people are going to say I'm...