How to Become an NFL Official

Millions of people are watching as you place your head under a canopy and spend 90 seconds watching video replays of a violent piece of athleticism that lasted less than two seconds. You have labored for years to reach this single moment. Now, as the referee of a Super Bowl, you have the Solomon-like power to make a decision that will influence the outcome of the world's greatest sports spectacle. How in the world did you earn this glorious opportunity?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Begin by qualifying as a high school football official. Explore the website of the National Association of Athletic Officials (NASO). Review what it says about the skills and training needed to become a high school football official (see Resources below).
2. Contact your state high school athletic association. Check out its requirements for certification as an NFL referee. Attend its rules clinics. Pass the required tests and begin officiating at high school football games.
3. Network whenever possible. Study the rules and know them as well if not better than everyone else. Stay in top physical condition.
4. Move to the next level of competition, college athletics. Familiarize yourself with the various college athletic conferences and who the heads of officiating are at each conference. Specialize in one area of officiating--referee, line judge, backfield judge--as much as possible while knowing all aspects of the rulebook.
5. Attend college officiating clinics. Continue networking. Let it be known that you are interested in moving to the ranks of intercollegiate officiating. If need be, take an officiating position at a Division II level in order to move to Division I.
6. Officiate at Division I for at least 10 years, continuing to network, taking high visibility assignments like bowl games when possible. After 7 or 8 years, let your interest in becoming an NFL official be known. Attend NFL clinics for officials.
7. When you have established the necessary credentials and resume necessary to become an NFL official, apply at the office of NFL officials. Continue to apply until you are hired. Work diligently until you are assigned to a Super Bowl. Then--rack your brains, eyesight, and powers of judgment trying to figure out if the receiver got his second foot down inbounds for a game winning touchdown.

Tips & Warnings

• High school football games do not have the same number of officials as either college or the NFL. It is probably best to spend at least some time working as a high school referee to demonstrate maturity and command even if you plan to work, for example, as a line judge in college and the NFL.