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Bill Vinovich Chosen as Lead Referee for Super Bowl LVIII Officiating Crew
27
Feb
Feb
As anticipation builds for Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the NFL has revealed the officiating crew that will oversee the game, led by referee Bill Vinovich. This marks Vinovich’s third time as the lead referee for the Super Bowl, a testament to his experience and expertise in officiating pivotal NFL contests.
The crew, carefully selected by the NFL, includes notable members such as umpire Terry Killens, down judge Patrick Holt, line judge Mark Perlman, field judge Tom Hill, side judge Allen Baynes, back judge Brad Freeman, and replay official Mike Chase.
A historic note accompanies this announcement, as Terry Killens becomes the first individual to both play in and officiate a Super Bowl. Killens, with seven seasons as an NFL player for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks, brings a unique perspective to the officiating team.
Vinovich, recognized for his crews’ disciplined approach, led officiating crews that averaged the “fewest, or close to the fewest” flags per game (13.4) during the 2023 NFL regular season, according to ESPN Stats and Information. His selection for the Super Bowl officiating crew underscores the merit-based nature of the NFL’s selection process.
This Super Bowl appearance will be Vinovich’s third, with previous stints at Super Bowl XLIX (New England Patriots vs. Seahawks) and Super Bowl LIV (San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs) in the last five years. Notably, Vinovich was the lead referee during the infamous “NOLA No-call” in the 2019 NFC championship game, where a missed defensive pass interference call stirred controversy. The Rams, benefiting from the no-call, eventually won the game in overtime but lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots.
The NFL, acknowledging the human error involved in the controversial call, has entrusted Vinovich to lead an all-star officiating crew for Super Bowl LVIII, emphasizing his standing as one of the league’s seasoned referees.
