Tag: Official obituary

3-time Super Bowl official Dale Williams passes away

by Mark Schultz - 0609

Dale Williams, a 24-year NFL head linesman and College World Series baseball umpire, passed away September 18, 2022, after a long illness. He was 82. Williams had a sparkling officiating career at a high level in two sports. He officiated NFL football from 1980-2003, and umpired college baseball for 32

NFL officials honor late colleague with patch on hats

by Mark Schultz - 01211

NFL officials are honoring former colleague and officiating vice president Wayne Mackie with a commemorative "WM" patch, shown here at the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on the hat of Carl Cheffers. Mackie passed away suddenly in March at the age of 62. Al Riveron, former senior vice president of officiating,

Jim Poole, back judge in 2 Super Bowls, dies at 89

by Mark Schultz - 03721

Jim Poole, a two-time Super Bowl official and world class athlete, died November 7, at age 89. An NFL officiating career with two Super Bowl assignments makes for an amazing résumé, but pro officiating only scratches the surface of a remarkable athletic life. Poole played basketball and baseball for San Diego State.

3-time Super Bowl official Don Hakes passes away

by Mark Schultz - 15603

Don Hakes, a NFL official for 22 years and a three-time Super Bowl field judge and back judge passed away on April 1, 2021 at the age of 87. 2021 has gotten off to a rough start as retired NFL officials Ron Botchan, Bob Boylston and Fred Wyant passed away in

Ron Botchan, 5-time Super Bowl umpire, passes away at 85

by Mark Schultz - 05731

Ron Botchan, 1935-2021 Ron Botchan, former American Football League player, college football coach, and NFL official passed away this week in California at the age of 85, the NFL Referees' Association announced. Botchan was an umpire for all but one of his 22 NFL seasons from 1980 to 2001. To say he

Former NFL official David Hawk has passed away

by Mark Schultz - 03428

David R. Hawk, 1934 - 2020 Former NFL line judge, head linesman and side judge David Hawk passed away in May. Hawk was a NFL official from 1972-1989, and wore number 66 for most of his career. A native of Texas, Hawk went to Southern Methodist University and was captain of the

Former NFL official Bill Swanson passes away

by Mark Schultz - 03520

William "Bill" Swanson, 1925 - 2020 Former NFL line judge, umpire and back judge Bill Swanson died on August 20, 2020, at the age of 94. Swanson wore number 38 for most of his NFL career. Swanson worked in the NFL from 1965 to 1985. He worked on the field for 13 playoff

Ed Merrifield, Super Bowl XXVI field judge, passes away

by Mark Schultz - 03426

https://gty.im/79552728 Edwin J. "Ed" Merrifield, 1932 - 2020 Ed Merrifield, a Super Bowl and conference championship official, passed away this past February 16. A Missouri native, Merrifield worked in the NFL from 1975 to 1994 on crews lead by Tommy Bell, Jerry Markbreit, Bob McElwee, Gene Barth, Jim Tunney, Howard Roe, and Ron

Nate Jones, 22-year NFL official, passes away

by Mark Schultz - 15514

Nathan L. Jones, 1938-2019 Nate Jones, a NFL deep wing official from 1977 to 1998 passed away on Nov. 1 at the age of 81. He is is not related to the former NFL player and current official Nate Jones.  Jones broke into the NFL in 1977 as a line judge on