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NFL retires Jerry Seeman’s jersey number

Published

9 years ago

July 21, 2014

No. 70 will never be worn again by an official

The NFL made history this weekend at its officiating clinic in Dallas, as it announced that it will retire the number 70 jersey in honor of former NFL referee and supervisor of officials, Jerry Seeman. Seeman worked Super Bowls XXIII and XXV as a referee, and worked in the NFL from 1975 – 1991 as a head linesman, line judge and referee. He was supervisor of officials from 1991 to 2001. Seeman passed away last year from cancer at age 77.

This is the first time the NFL has retired an official’s jersey number. Mike Pereira tweeted the information at the conclusion of the NFL officiating clinic.

Commissioner Roger Goodell paid tribute to Seeman last year when he commented, “Jerry modernized and improved NFL officiating during his 10 seasons leading the department. He was very proud of being a football official, and he always made the NFL proud through his skill, integrity, and professionalism.”

Seeman isn’t the only person who wore number 70. Hugh Gamber wore the number in the early 1970s and was the back judge for Super Bowl V. Seeman then wore number 70 after Gamber’s retirement, and then Scott Dawson took it after Seeman’s retirement. Dawson retired after the 2013 season and so did number 70 in honor of Seeman.

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Mark Schultz

Mark Schultz is a high school football official, freelance writer and journalist. He first became interested in officiating when he was six years old, was watching a NFL game with his father and asked the fateful question, "Dad, what are those guys in the striped shirts doing?"