The NFL officially announced the crew that will officiate Super Bowl LV. Referee Carl Cheffers will lead the seven-person crew of on-field officials to work the big game on February 7, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Cheffers may lead the crew but Sarah Thomas highlights it. She’ll become the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl.
From NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, Sr.:
“Sarah Thomas has made history again as the first female Super Bowl official. Her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.”
Super Bowl LV Officiating Crew
Referee: Carl Cheffers
21st NFL season/17 career playoff games (including Super Bowl LI)
Umpire: Fred Bryan
12th NFL season/9 career playoff games (including Super Bowl LIII)
Down Judge: Sarah Thomas
6th NFL season/4 career playoff games
Line Judge: Rusty Baynes
11th NFL season/13 playoff games (including Super Bowl L)
Field Judge: James Coleman
16th NFL season/9 career playoff games
Side Judge: Eugene Hall
7th NFL season/10 playoff games (including Super Bowl LIII)
Back Judge: Dino Paganelli
15th NFL season/15 career playoff games (including Super Bowl XLVII)
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NFL playoff officiating crews are all-star groups. Congratulations to those that earn this extra work. The officiating crews that work regular season games are a team. They work together each week. They come to know each other over as many as 17 weeks. They are familiar and coordinated. Again, they are a team. I’ve never understood the NFL’s practice of putting together these all-star crews to officiate the most important games of the season. Especially, the Biggest game of the season. I’ve always thought it a terrific idea to use the best graded crews for the playoff games and the very best graded crew for the Super Bowl. But that’s just me. Despite that, congratulations to the seven officials that have been selected for Super Bowl LV. I’m thrilled that Sarah Thomas is one of them.
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