Super Bowl LIX is right around the corner and the NFL have announced their officiating assignments for Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans.
How are officials chosen for the Super Bowl?
The NFL’s highest-rated official at each position is honored with the task of refereeing the Super Bowl. The league uses an evaluation system to grade every official’s calls throughout the season and the strongest candidates are then chosen.
Not every NFL referee is eligible to work the Super Bowl, as it is only open to officials who have refereed for at least five seasons and have previously officiated a playoff game.
There are seven on-field officials and one replay official for every NFL game.
Who are the officials at Super Bowl LIX?
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- Umpire: Mike Morton
- Down Judge: Max Causey
- Line Judge: Mark Stewart
- Field Judge: Mearl Robinson
- Back Judge: Jonah Monroe
- Side Judge: Boris Cheek
- Replay Official: Kevin Brown
Veteran official Ronald Torbert will be the lead referee the Super Bowl for a second time, while side judge Boris Cheek will officiate his fourth. Those two are the only of the crew with previous experience working at a Super Bowl.
Umpire Mike Morton actually won a Super Bowl as a player, featuring as an outside linebacker for the victorious St. Louis Rams in 1999 against the Tennessee Titans.
Some social media s were skeptical of Torbert’s appointment following his role in Kansas City‘s AFC Championship win over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023.
The Chiefs 12th man Ron Torbert will be officiating the Super Bowl this year.
If you don’t the name #Bengals fans, you certainly this play ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6JpQMeB34q
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) January 21, 2025
A few have even suggested that the Chiefs are favored by the referees following a controversial call to deny Josh Allen a crucial fourth-and-1 attempt in the final period of Sunday’s championship game.
Here’s that @ESPN graphic that @SharpFootball did a deep dive into on his site. pic.twitter.com/LWg10lh05x
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) January 22, 2025
Whatever the officiating brings, we are surely in for an absolute classic in New Orleans as the Chiefs and Eagles battle it out to become 2025’s top dog.
