Phil McKinnely has spent 16 seasons officiating NFL games. Before that, he was an offensive lineman in the league for seven years, including five the Atlanta Falcons.
McKinnely is one of two among 124 league officials to have played in the league. McKinnely will officiate what is now called the down judge, formerly known as the head linesman.
Among the responsibilities of the down judge is to oversee the line of scrimmage, watch for offsides and encroachment penalties, and man the sideline plays on his side of the field (opposite the press box). The new title, according to the league release eliminates “the gender-based classification of the position.”
Among the other notables on this year's roster of officials, released Thursday, are:
Credit: Peter Read Miller
Credit: Peter Read Miller
• Eight first-year referees.
• Three sets of fathers and sons: Walt Coleman (29 seasons) and son, Walt IV (3 seasons); Ed Hochuli (28 seasons) and his son, Shawn (4 seasons); and Steve Freeman (17 seasons) and his son, Brad (4 seasons).
• Four sets of brothers: Allen and Rusty Baynes; Jeff and Jerry Bergman; Carl, Dino and Perry Paganelli; and Gene and Tony Steratore.
McKinnely played for seven seasons on the offensive line from 1976–82, including five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons from 1976–80.
The other former player officiating in the league is former Mississippi State defensive back Steve Freeman, who played 12 seasons with the Buffalo Bills from 1975–86.
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