NFL Referee Lockout is Over, Refs return on Thursday

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have reached an agreement to end the lockout. The refs return Thursday. The NFL and the official will vote on the agreement on Friday and Saturday.

Thank @god! The Footlocker refs were horrible.

More details:

From NFL:

The NFL reached an eight-year agreement with the NFL Referees Association on Wednesday night to end the lockout, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the refs will be back on the field starting Thursday night.

The new collective bargaining agreement is the longest between the league and game officials in NFL history.

"The long-term future of our game requires that we seek improvement in every area, including officiating," Goodell said in a statement released by the league. "This agreement supports long-term reforms that will make officiating better. The teams, players and fans want and deserve both consistency and quality in officiating.

"We look forward to having the finest officials in sports back on the field, and I want to give a special thanks to NFL fans for their passion. Now it's time to put the focus back on the teams and players where it belongs."

Goodell temporarily lifted the lockout so officials can work Thursday night's game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens (8 p.m. ET on NFL Network). According to the NFL, officials will vote on the agreement Friday and Saturday, and a clinic for the officials will be held after the vote.