Think of how often NFL players seem upset about the calls of referees during NFL games. I’m sure many of them think that they could do a much better job than the league’s referees.
A few former NFL players have actually become referees, and one of them is going to make history in a few weeks during Super Bowl LVIII when he becomes the first referee to play in and referee in a Super Bowl.
Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
Terry Killens will earn a unique distinction in football history when he steps on the field as the umpire at Super Bowl LVIII: He’ll be the first person to both play in a Super Bowl and serve as an official in the Super Bowl.
The NFL announced today that Killens will be part of the Super Bowl LVIII officiating crew. This is Killens’ fifth season as an NFL official and his first Super Bowl assignment.
But it’s not his first time at the Super Bowl: Killens played for the Titans in their Super Bowl XXXIV loss to the Rams. A backup linebacker, Killens made one tackle in the game, on special teams.
This is really cool, in my opinion. I’m not sure if more players becoming league referees would make the officiating better or worse. But, I think it’s certainly worth a try, and more players should be encouraged to do so.
I’d assume that the vast majority of the NFL’s referees have played organized football at some level before. But, the speed of an NFL game is light years away from high school or even high-level college football. Only players who have actually put the pads on in an NFL game can truly understand the split-second decisions players have to make throughout a game.
The rest of the Super Bowl LVIII crew was also announced.
Veteran official Bill Vinovich will serve as the head referee for the game. He will be joined by Killens, Patrick Holt, Mark Perlman, Tom hill, Allen Baynes, Brad Freeman, and replay official Mike Chase.
Super Bowl LVIII will be on February 11 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Nevada. The San Francisco 49ers will play the Detroit Lions, and the Baltimore Ravens will host the Kansas City Chiefs to decide who will represent the NFC and AFC in the Super Bowl.
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