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🏈Super Bowl LVIII is just around the corner, and millions of fansare eagerly waiting to see the Kansas City CHIEFS and the San Francisco 49’ERS battle it out for the Lombardi Trophy at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. But while the spotlight will be on the players and coaches, there is another group of people who willplay a crucial role in the outcome of the game: the officials.
The NFL has announced the officiating crew for the biggest game of the year, led by veteran referee Bill Vinovich. Vinovich, who has 18 years of experience in the league, will work his third Super Bowl as the crew chief, joining an elite club of only eight officials who have done so in NFL history. He previously officiated Super Bowl XLIX, when the New England PATRIOTS defeated the Seattle SEAHAWKS and Super Bowl LIV, when the Chiefs beat the 49’ERS
Vinovich is no stranger to controversy, as he was also the referee for the infamous 2018 NFC championship game, when the Los Angeles RAMS edged the New Orleans SAINTS with the help of a no-call on an obvious pass interference by RAMS CB: Nickell Robey-Coleman against SAINTS WR: Tommylee Lewis. Vinovich later admitted that the call was missed, but said he did not see it on the field.
The rest of the officiating crew for Super Bowl LVIII consists of:
UMPIRE: Terry Killens, who will make history as the first person to play in one Super Bowl and officiate in another. Killens was a linebacker for the Tennessee TITANS in Super Bowl XXXIV, when they lost to the St. Louis Rams by one yard.
DOWN JUDGE: Patrick Holt, who will work his first Super Bowl after six seasons in the NFL. Holt was a college football player at Cal State Northridge and a high school coach before becoming an official.
LINE JUDGE: Mark Perlman, who will also work his first Super Bowl after 20 seasons in the NFL. Perlman has officiated in 17 playoff games, including four conference championships.
FIELD JUDGE: Tom Hill, who will work his second Super Bowl after 22 seasons in the NFL. Hill previously officiated Super Bowl XLII, when the New York GIANTS upset the undefeated Patriots.
SIDE JUDGE: Allen Baynes, who will work his second Super Bowl after 14 seasons in the NFL. Baynes previously officiated Super Bowl LII, when the Philadelphia EAGLES beat the PATRIOTS.
BACK JUDGE: Brad Freeman, who will work his first Super Bowl after seven seasons in the NFL. Freeman is the son of former NFL referee Steve Freeman, who officiated Super Bowl XXXIV.
REPLAY OFFICIAL: Mike Chase, who will work his first Super Bowl after 10 seasons in the NFL. Chase is a former college football player at Arizona State and a former high school coach.
The Super Bowl officials were selected from the pool of 28 officials who worked the divisional round of the playoffs, based on their performance, accuracy, and professionalism throughout the season. Officials are not allowed to work more than two postseason assignments.
The NFL has also assigned alternate officials for each position, in case of injury or illness. The alternates are:
REFEREE: Shawn Hochuli, was promoted to Referee following the retirement of his father Ed Hochuli. Hochuli has previously worked as HEAD REFEREE: for ARENABOWL XXIV. He also worked as HR: during the 2022 NFC divisional playoff games. Shawn was the first to give an UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT penalty to Tom Brady.
UMPIRE: Ramon George. We could not find much about him. Apparently he was involved in the controversial ending of a wild card game between the COWBOYS and 49’ERS. Because an official has to touch the ball before each down can start. Prescot tried to spike the ball to stop the clock, BUT, (Because an official has to touch the ball before each down can start). Umpire George ran into C: Tyler Biadasz, as tried to spot the ball, and the clock kept running. Ending game with the 49’ERS leading 23-17.
DOWN JUDGE: Sarah Thomas, is the first female NFL official. She was the first woman to officiate at the college level. she became the first woman to earn an on-field assignment for an NFL playoff game. In February 2021, she became the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl. Thomas has officiated United Football League games, and in 2010 worked the league championship game. Her NFL regular season debut in a game between the Kansas City CHIEFS and the Houston TEXANS at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2015, Thomas was selected for the Super Bowl LV
LINE JUDGE: Rusty Baynes, NFL officiatin is a family tradition. He served as the line judge in Super Bowl LV, Baynes also worked as line judge in Super Bowl 50. His father, Ronnie Baynes, Ronnie worked as an NFL official. He refereed in Super Bowls XXIX in 1995 and XXXIII in 1999. He also served a stint as the NFL’s supervisor of officials. Brother, Allen, has been working as an NFL official since the 2008 season and most recently worked the 2021 Divisional Round.
FIELD JUDGE: Eugene Hall, Has been an NFL official since 2014. Other than his day job as a special agent IRS, (Internal Revenue Service). This is all we could find on him.
SIDE JUDGE: James Coleman, is in his 18th year as an NFL official. He was an official in Super Bowl LX. Sorry, this is all we could find on his NFL career
BACK JUDGE: Greg Steed, officiated is in his 21st NFL season. Officiated in Super Bowl LIV (54). Other assignments were to Super Bowl XLII (42) as an alternate, Super Bowl XLIV (44), and an on-field official and Super Bowl XLIV as the on-field back judge.
REPLAY OFFICIAL: Mike Chase. Unaable to find any information on Chase, other than he has worked as SENIOR REPLAY OFFICIAL.
The officials will have a lot of pressure and scrutiny on them, as every call they make or don’t make could have a huge impact on the game. They will also have to deal with the challenges of working in a new stadium, with different lighting, angles, and noise levels. They will have to rely on their training, experience, and teamwork to ensure a fair and safe game for both teams.
YES! The officials get SUPER BOWL RINGS.
We wish them all the best and hope they have a great game. 🏈