Super Bowl LVIII boasts a star-studded cast of talent on the field as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers prepare for a dogfight. But who has the NFL appointed as the lead referee?
Being a referee at the highest level is not for the weak. Fans, players, and coaches alike are quick to ridicule calls that don’t go in their favor. And rarely do they thank the refs for making the correct call.
It’s an immense responsibility for the crew chief and his entire team of officials. It’s even more pressure on Super Bowl Sunday, as hundreds of cameras and millions of eyes zero into every snap.
As for Super Bowl LVIII, the NFL has tabbed one of its longest-tenured officials as the lead referee. But the decision doesn’t come without controversy.
Who is the lead NFL referee for Super Bowl LVIII?
Bill Vinovich will lead his third Super Bowl as a head referee on Sunday. Vinovich most recently officiated Super Bowl LIV, which, ironically enough, was when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers.
The 63-year-old referee began his NFL career in 2001. Super Bowl LVIII marks the first time the same lead official is in charge of a rematch.
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Vinovich’s experience speaks for itself, but he does have one infamous blown call under his belt. The officiating crew dropped the ball in the 2019 NFC Championship Game between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints.
4 years ago today, the #Saints suffered the biggest non-call in playoff history on the NFC Championship.#Rams CB Nickell Robey-Coleman committed unpenalized DPI on WR Tommylee Lewis near the end of regulation.The Rams went on to win 26-23 in overtime.pic.twitter.com/uEhv5EP9Vj
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 20, 2023
The NFL released a statement following the game, acknowledging the play should have drawn not one but two penalty flags on the Rams. Later in overtime, Los Angeles would win the contest over a heartbroken Saints fan base.
It is often considered the worst botched call in NFL history, and Vinovich’s name will forever be associated with it. Chiefs and 49ers fans hope the same fate doesn’t await either of them on Sunday.
Super Bowl LVIII will kick off on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with lead NFL referee Bill Vinovich setting the table. Tune in at 6:30 PM ET, 3:30 PM Pacific, and 11:30 PM in the UK for a duel between the Chiefs and 49ers.