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

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

NFL Referees Association honors 5-time Super Bowl umpire Ron Botchan

The NFL Referees Association (NFLRA), the union representing NFL officials, recently honored retired umpire Ron Botchan with the 2019 Honoree Award. The award recognizes an official for on-field accomplishments and support of the NFLRA. “Ron exemplifies everything NFL officials strive to be,” said NFLRA Executive Director Scott Green in a news

4 historic facts related to this year’s Super Bowl crew

I enjoy historic aspects of NFL officiating and as we get ready to zebra watch in Super Bowl XLVIII here are some interesting nuggets regarding officiating in the Super Bowl. Field judge Scott Steenson sets the record for most years between return trips.  Steenson worked Super Bowl XXXI, and makes his

5-time Super Bowl line judge Beeks dies

Bob Beeks 1927–2012 Bob Beeks died on December 26, 2012, as reported by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  He died on his 85th birthday.  According to his family, he suffered an apparent heart attack.  Beeks was a NFL line judge from 1968 to 1989.  He wore uniform number 59 for most of