(NEXSTAR) — Jersey numbers can help you identify your favorite NFL player on the field, distinguishing them from their teammates. Those same numbers are also helpful when referees are reporting who caused a flag to be thrown.

But what about the numbers NFL referees wear? It's not like you need to figure out which Kansas City Chiefs tight end just caught that pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. (Have you ever noticed how similar Travis Kelce and Noah Gray can look on television?)

Never noticed the numbers on a referee's jersey?

They appear both on the referee's back and left sleeve. You can see that on two referees in the photo below — No. 47, Tom Podraza, and No. 31, Mearl Robinson.

While game officials refer to player numbers when calling fouls, that presumably wouldn't be necessary for their fellow referee. They also don't serve to identify a referee's role in the game — that is denoted by the letter on their jersey. (In the case above, Podraza is a line judge and Robinson a field judge.)

The numbers do, however, serve a purpose.

© The Hill