The Green Bay Packers are set to host the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field in Week 10, but the game will have a different referee than originally scheduled. Clete Blakeman will replace John Hussey as the referee for Sunday’s NFC North matchup.
The change followed a nationwide Federal Aviation Administration ground stop on Friday, November 13. The roughly four-hour disruption, caused by a telecommunications breakdown affecting air traffic control towers across the country, led to flight delays and cancellations.
In response, the NFL adjusted some officiating assignments so referees could drive to games near their homes rather than rely on air travel. The changes were substantial: backup referee Don Willard was assigned to work both Miami’s game against Indianapolis at 1 p.m. ET and Pittsburgh’s matchup with Cincinnati at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday.
## Vikings’ Trip to Green Bay Expected to Proceed as Planned
The FAA lifted the ground stop Friday evening, and air travel gradually resumed. Some sports teams adjusted their travel plans, while the NCAA rescheduled several college contests.
Minnesota’s trip to Green Bay was considered less likely to be affected because the cities are about a four- to five-hour drive apart. If necessary, the Vikings could have traveled east on Interstate 94 by bus on Saturday. That would have added a logistical challenge for the team, but the Vikings are expected to fly to Green Bay as planned.
