The Super Bowl is finally set and so is the officiating crew that will be refereeing it.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and the National Football League announced they have chosen Bill Vinovich as the lead referee for Super Bowl LVIII, marking his third assignment in this prestigious role and his second within the past five years.
The NFL has maintained a select group of referees for its most crucial game of the year. Alongside Vinovich, referee Carl Cheffers has also officiated two Super Bowls within the past five years, and Ron Torbert secured the other assignment in this period.
BREAKING: Bill Vinovich will be the head referee for the Super Bowl this year, his 3rd time.
It has been one hell of a comeback for Vinovich after retired from field duty as an NFL official in 2007 due to a heart condition and was told he will never be able to ref again. pic.twitter.com/OgNwngj0tU
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 23, 2024
Known for overseeing crews that consistently exhibit a disciplined and low-flag style of officiating during the regular season, Vinovich’s crew averaged 13.4 flags per game in 2023, tying for the seventh fewest in the league.
Gotta rig it for the Swifties!!😂
— Bandida1963 (@Bandida1963) January 23, 2024
This Super Bowl assignment adds to Vinovich’s impressive resume, having previously officiated in Super Bowls XLIX and LIV.
The complete crew for the Super Bowl includes the following…
Umpire: Terry Killens
Down judge: Patrick Holt
Line judge: Mark Perlman
Field judge: Tom Hill
Side judge: Allen Baynes
Back judge: Brad Freeman
Replay official: Mike Chase
I see two officials from super bowl 40 the last one that was played in Detroit https://t.co/5PXr18xXMF
— 208PrôdüctiônŽ(GEMATRIA) (@whats47gematria) January 23, 2024
Perlman, Hill, and Chase bring valuable Super Bowl experience to the crew.
It should be noted however that Vinovich and several of the officials who were awarded the assignment have angered many fans over the years with their inconsistent officiating.
Super Bowl XL refs https://t.co/MBTMkojeCG pic.twitter.com/uKhl0DW8dr
— BackGoesUpton (@backgoesupton) January 23, 2024
Are you worried that the refs are going to screw something up come Super Bowl Sunday?
What are your thoughts on Vinovich and the crew?
Who SHOULD have gotten the assignment???