The NFL refs have ended their lockout with the NFL and have returned to the field for last night’s during the Browns 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens during “Thursday Night Football”. The league and the NFL Referees Association announced  they have agreed to an eight-year labor pact and the deal runs through the 2019 season and gives significant raises to the officials, who are part-time employees. The average NFL official earned $149,000 last year, and under the new deal, that is to increase to an average of $173,000 in 2013 and $205,000 in 2019. The officials are scheduled to meet Friday and Saturday to take a ratification vote. In the mean time, the NFL agreed to lift the lockout for Thursday nights game. Once a written deal is approved by the referees, the strike is formally ended, with no ratification vote by the NFL’s franchise owners is required.