Apparently Monday night’s debacle in Seattle was enough as the NFL flipped on the Ed Hochuli signal and essentially told the real referees as well as fans of the NFL that the lockout of the league’s referee association was to have ended. The two sides reached an agreement on an eight-year CBA that will not expire until 2019. The ref’s salary will raise from 149,000 in 2011 to 173,000 in 2013.

Godspeed, Ed – we’re glad to see you back.