McNally served as an NFL official for nine years (Field Judge, 1959; Referee 1960-67) before being hired as the NFL's Supervisor of Officials in 1968. The. Trailblazer referee Johnny Grier has passed away. ", Copyright 2023 Equity Creative Group, LLC, Johnny Grier, NFL's first Black referee, dies at 74, Bill Leavy, officiating supervisor and referee, dies at 76, Art McNally, the only official in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and father of modern officiating, dies at 97, 3-time Super Bowl official Dale Williams passes away, Jim Poole, back judge in 2 Super Bowls, dies at 89, Ben Dreith, the longtime NFL referee widely known to common fans, dies at 96, 3-time Super Bowl official Don Hakes passes away. The North Carolina native began officiating high school football at 18 years old. He later served as an officiating supervisor for the NFL and previously as Supervisor of Football Officials for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). He left behind a legacy of opening doors to the current referees of color that work in the NFL today, as well as his own loving family. He wore number 23 for most of his career. Johnny Grier, who became the first Black referee in the National Football League in 1988 and remained in that position, the top one in an officiating crew, for 16 years, died on Tuesday in Pasadena, Md. After leaving the NFL as a Supervisor of Football Officials, he was hired as a PAC 12 Supervisor, where he later retired. Grier worked. He became the first black ref in league history in 1988. He followed in the footsteps of Burl Toler, the first Black official in the NFL who served as a field judge and head linesman from 1965-1989. He was 74. Leg injuries led him to retire in 2004, his 24th season with the NFL. pic.twitter.com/dyWBSlbS7m, Awww mannn! In 1981, Grier was brought in by the NFL to work as a field judge, according to the, During his time in the NFL, Grier was even given the esteemed position of field judge at Super Bowl XXII. 1 spot, Jordon Smith sidelined by wrist, thumb injury for RedBud and immediate future, Jordan Thomas Pledges to 2024 All-American Bowl, Ledecky cruises to 800m free national title, Foster wins 200m fly, Heilman breaks U16 mark, Honoring Norma Hunts NFL legacy with Chiefs, Derek Carr on Raiders benching him: I was upset, I was mad, they made my wife cry, Fanatics bumps offer for PointsBet, besting the DraftKings bid, Myles Garrett looking trimmer as training camp approaches, Former Saints linebacker Scott Pelluer dies at 64, Silence and secrecy continue to shroud NFLPAs executive director selection process, If requiring officials to be full-time employees would cause some to quit, some would be fine with that. He first became interested in officiating when he was six years old, was watching a NFL game with his father and asked the fateful question, "Dad, what are those guys in the striped shirts doing? Grier was an NFL referee for 23 years, working for the league from 1981 to 2004. Johnny Grier, the NFLs first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of NFL Officiating and beyond, Vincent tweeted. Jerome Boger was promoted to referee in 2006, and changed his uniform number to 23 as homage to Grier. He attended college at the University of the District of Columbia. I said, John, this is your first year, and Id like to make you the backup referee, so every time we have a crew conference, you come and listen, and if you have any suggestions, let me know. Mr. Tunney recalled in a phone interview. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. He became the first black ref in league history in 1988. It took more than 30 minutes to bring both teams back from their locker rooms to complete a final play, which did not change the outcome of the game, a 27-24 Miami victory. NFL won't allow a holder to elevate a teed kickoff ball, Rules review video: getting away with feigning injury, late subs, and receivers out of bounds, Rules review video: unusual fair-catch situation, new low-block rule, and a fumble into the pylon, Enshrinement of Art McNally Johnny Grier (April 16, 1947 - March 8, 2022) was an American football official for 23 years in the National Football League (NFL) from 1981 to 2004. Learn how your comment data is processed. The referee, who wears a white cap during the game, is the head of the crew. He got an early start officiating football. Died: Tuesday, March 8, 2022. He worked about every position before moving up to referee, Darden said. Over the course of his career, Grier worked 15 playoff games. Some of them become famous for their many appearances on TVs and jumbotrons. Damond Talbot March 14, 2022 0 11 1 minute read Johnny Grier was a pioneer in the NFL. A North Carolina native and a graduate of the University of D.C, Grier began refereeing high school games while stationed in Louisiana with the Air Force in 1965 before transitioning to college football in 1972, according to Football Zebras. People may consider me a pioneer now, Mr. Grier told Jet magazine in 1988. This is sad news. Rest in peace, Johnny. Thanks for contacting us. Position: Referee More bio, uniform, draft, salary info. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Johnny Grier. 23 for the NFL, Grier started his officiating run as a high school referee in 1965. He joined the NFL in 1981, at the tender age of 34. Please see our. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER. Johnny Grier, an HBCU graduate who became the first Black referee in NFL history, passed away Wednesday. In June, several NFL players took to social media to criticize the league for not doing more to call out racial inequities, including system racism and police brutality, following the police. Mr. Grier arguing with Dan Marino, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, during a game between the Dolphins and the Denver Broncos in 1999. In 2006, referee Jerome Boger changed his number to 23 as a tribute to Grier. Johnny Grier NFL Official Statistics. He was 74. Grier worked NFL games for 23 years (1981-2004), beginning as a field judge before being promoted to referee in 1988. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! pic.twitter.com/dyWBSlbS7m. But once we put on those striped shirts, the first time I make a call that goes against somebody that they dont like, Im going to be just another referee.. He was 74. Grier officiated in one Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXII in 1988, which was his last game as a field judge and the same game in which Doug Williams became the first African-American quarterback to win the Super Bowl. He began in the NFL as a field judge before becoming the first African-American referee in the history of the NFL with the start of the 1988 NFL season. Grier served as an officiating supervisor for the NFL and previously as Supervisor of Football Officials for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Johnny Grier, an NFL's first Black referee, has died at the age of 74. He was a high school and college football official before being hired by the NFL in 1981. We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Johnny Grier. He later moved onto college football in 1972, according to Football Zebras. IndyCar Power Rankings: Alex Palou maximizing his No. My condolences to his family. Some of them become famous for their many appearances on TVs and jumbotrons. 23 123 +1. He was promoted to referee the following year in 1988, becoming the first Black man to hold the position in the NFL. In 2006, referee Jerome Boger changed his number to 23 to pay tribute to Grier. Since 1945, EBONY magazine has shined a spotlight on the worlds of Black people in America and worldwide. Hes a good dude. The trailblazer for Black referees in the NFL, Johnny Grier, has died at age 74. (NEXSTAR) - Johnny Grier, the National Football League's first Black referee, has died at the age of 74. Survivors include a son from a relationship, Lowell Grier; a sister; two granddaughters; and two great-grandsons. He was 74. Born on April 16th, 1947, the North Carolina native moved north and attended college at the University of the . By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with EBONY to receive our weekly emails, events, and other updates. We invite you to share condolences for Johnny Grier in our Guest Book. 19 Fashion Insiders Share How Hip Hop Influenced Their Love for Designer Threads, Pan-African Platform Air Afrique Relaunches With the Help of Bottega Veneta. While speaking to. His final game as a field judge was Super Bowl XXII. 's First Black Referee, Dies at 74", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Johnny_Grier&oldid=1137600566, 20th-century African-American sportspeople, Sportspeople from Charlotte, North Carolina, University of the District of Columbia alumni, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, Paul Laurence Dunbar (Class of 1965) and UDC, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 14:36. Visit NFL.com's transaction hub for a daily breakdown. 23 is now worn by Jerome Boger, another Black referee. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. For as long as there has been American football, there have been referees. Since 1999; Season Totals Table; Totals League Averages Relative; Year G G plyf Pos Home Visitor Home% Rihanna and Her Growing Baby Bump Star In Pharrell Williams' First Louis Vuitton CampaignSee The Pics! Johnny Grier, the first Black man to work as an NFL referee, died this week. Grier's pioneering 24-year-career began in 1981 as a field judge until he was promoted to referee in 1988. He wore number 23 for most of his career. Jets could lose handful of key players in free agency, What Yankees have that Mets are still searching for, The long-term reason Steve Cohen isn't making rash Mets changes, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Kim Kardashian called out for 'unnecessary' Photoshop: 'This is truly sad', Southwest flyers' wheelchair 'pre-boarding scam' leaves fellow passengers fuming. Mr. Grier, who spent most of his life in the Washington region, began refereeing basketball scrimmages while he was a student at Dunbar High School. He studied hard and knew the rules, and was good with the coaches and players.. Mr. Grier attended officiating and rules clinics each year and was instrumental in helping other Black officials advance in football and other sports. ), Football officials are often loosely called referees, but each of the seven officials on the field has a specific title and duty. Johnny Grier became the first black referee in NFL history at the start of the 1988 season. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. From 1979-1987 referees wore black hats and the rest of the crew wore white hats. Wayne Mackie, VP of officiating development and former head linesman, dies at 62, 2021 was a year of profound loss in the officiating community, Mark Schultz is a high school football official, freelance writer and journalist. Anearlier version of this obituary misstated part of the name of a conference for which Mr. Grier officiated at college football games. DISCLAIMER: This site and the products offered are for entertainment purposes only, and there is no gambling offered on this site. While serving in the Air Force in Louisiana in the late 1960s, he began to officiate high school and later college sports. There he saw former Grambling quarterback Doug Williams become the first Black starting quarterback to win the Super Bowl. HBCU grad Johnny Grier, who became the first black referee in NFL history, passed Wednesday at 74. He worked two wild card games, nine divisional games, three conference championships and Super Bowl XXII. Grier had a distinguished 24-year-career as a ref for the league. The North Carolina native and University of the District of Columbia (UDC) graduate began officiating high school football at 18 years old. Troy Vincent Sr., the NFL's Executive Vice President of Football Operations, confirmed on Twitter Wednesday. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 42-10.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport. Grier served as a National Football League referee for 23 years. We invite you to share condolences for Johnny Grier in our Guest Book. Johnny Grier, the NFLs first Black referee, has died at the age of 74. Over the course of his distinguished career as an official, Grier worked 15 playoff games and led the crew in the 1993 AFC Championship game. During his NFL officiating career, he also served as the director of officiating for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. No guarantees are made for any specific outcome. Grier died in Pasadena, Maryland, on March 8, 2022, at the age of 74.[3]. You can bet he was mentally exhausted, he said of Mr. Grier in a phone interview. His biggest assignment as a referee was the 1993 AFC Championship game, when the Bills defeated the Chiefs en route to their fourth consecutive Super Bowl. Neither team wanted to come back on the field and I could understand that, Mr. Grier said. (Burl Toler, a head linesman, became the first African American official in the NFL in 1965 and was the first to work in a Super Bowl. Johnny Grier, the @NFL 's first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of @NFLOfficiating and beyond. Troy Vincent, Sr., the league's executive vice president of football operations,. Johnny Grier, the @NFL 's first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of @NFLOfficiating and beyond. pic.twitter.com/dyWBSlbS7m. (An eighth official is in the press box to review video replays of infractions.). Johnny Grier became the first black referee in NFL history at the start of the 1988 season. Rest in peace, Johnny. Grier, who picked up officiating football while stationed in Louisiana with the Air Force, worked high school and college games before making it to the NFL. Our commitment to showcasing the best and brightest as well as highlighting disparities in Black life has been, and will always be, cornerstone to EBONY. He minimized his status as a pioneer, noting that the first time I make a call that goes against somebody that they dont like, Im going to be just another referee.. He then worked in the league office and was its Northeast regional officiating supervisor. Grier followed in the footsteps of Burl Toler, the first Black official in the NFL who served as a field judge and head linesman from 1965-1989. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! Grier is among a cadre of great black officials that work and have worked in the NFL and paved the way for others. In that role, he made calls on pass receptions, pass interference and on whether a runner stepped out of bounds. Johnny Grier, the first Black referee in NFL history, has passed away, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent announced Wednesday. Miles also served as a supervisor, evaluating the performance of on-field NFL officials. The National Football League is mourning the loss of one of its own. Johnny Grier, the @NFLs first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of @NFLOfficiating and beyond. As a field judge, I was 25 yards deep downfield, he once said in an interview on the syndicated TV program The George Michael Sports Machine. Nobody was supposed to get behind me, and back during that time, you think about keeping up with guys like Willie Gault and Ron Brown. True trailblazer. His tenure began in 1981 when he earned a spot on . NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Brian. When he was promoted to referee in 1988, Mr. Grier said he found his new position a little easier than being a field judge babysitting the quarterback, as he put it. Famous American football referee Johnny Grier has sadly passed away after decades of serving the National Football League (NFL). After four years, Mr. Grier moved to the crew headed by the referee Dick Jorgensen. Grier moved to college football in 1972 with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and then officiated in the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). In March 2022, Grier died at the age of 74. ( Who else died on March 8?) During his NFL officiating career, he also served as the director of football officiating for the MEAC. During his 24-year career, Grier worked 15 playoff games, seven as a field judge and eight as a referee. Even in the NFL, officiating is a part-time job. The number Mr. Grier wore as a referee No. While Mr. Grier was the N.F.L.s first Black referee, he was not the leagues first Black official; Burl Toler earned that distinction when he was hired in 1965. He began in the NFL as a field judge. We've received your submission. 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. All Rights Reserved. Johnny Grier, the NFL's first Black referee, dies at 74 Jack Baer Updated March 9, 2022 at 6:14 PM ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 17: NFL referee Johnny Grier signals during a game between. After retiring as a referee, Grier worked as an officiating supervisor both in college and for the NFL. Enjoyed playing with this man in control. Mr. Grier worked 15 playoff games and was the field judge in Super Bowl XXII in 1988, in which Washington defeated Denver, 42-10. His father worked in construction, and his mother was a homemaker. On a day where big NFL moves and signings dominated the headlines, we were sad to hear about the passing of Johnny Grier, the NFL's first Black referee. Grier. Johnny Grier, the @NFL's first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of @NFLOfficiating and beyond. He told Ebony magazine in 1988 that the first time I make a call that goes against somebody that they dont like, Im going to be just another referee.. Grier was promoted to referee in 1988 as the first African-American man to hold the position in the NFL. Johnny Grier, the @NFL's first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of @NFLOfficiating and beyond. Johnny Grier, the first Black referee in NFL history, has passed away, NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent announced Wednesday. Id like to be remembered by my cohorts, Mr. Grier said in a 2014 interview with the Massachusetts School of Law, as somebody theyd like to walk on the field with on Sunday afternoon., Local news, weather, sports, events, restaurants and more, Johnny Grier, first Black referee in the NFL, dies at 74, Seven years after he learned to pitch, Jordan Weems has found a home with Nats, Nationals are undone by their own mistakes and fall short in Seattle, In the 2023 NHL draft, Matvei Michkov is the ultimate wild card. Officiating is not a full-time job, so for many years Mr. Grier was an engineer for C & P Telephone (which later became part of Bell Atlantic). Before he wore No. His career ended abruptly during the 2004 NFL season when he was forced to retire due to a leg injury suffered during a series of games. It is the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, not Mid-East. Grier's officiating career came to an end in 2004 when a leg injury forced him to retire. Johnny Grier was born on April 16, 1947 in Charlotte, N.C. His father, Walter, was a construction worker; his mother, Ruth (Minor) Grier, was a homemaker.
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