NFL Adds 2 Former Players to New Officials List This Season

Each and every year, like clockwork, new NFL officials are hired. Most of them have been in stripes their entire careers, finally getting their shot at the big time, but there’s something unique about 2019 as two former NFL players have joined the team.
Field judge Nate Jones, a defensive back who had an eight-year pro career, including with the New England Patriots, joins the NFL officials list after spending time in the Pac-12 Conference, while Umpire Terry Killens, a linebacker for seven NFL seasons with the Oilers/Titans, 49ers and Seahawks, makes the move up from the American Athletic Conference.
There are six first-year officials in total. Side Judges Dave Hawkshaw and Jimmy Russell, down judge Patrick Holt, and line judge Tripp Sutter join Jones and Killens for the upcoming NFL season after longtime referees Walt Coleman, John Parry and Pete Morelli retired at the end last season.
Line judge Jeff Bergman, who is entering his 28th NFL season, is now the longest-serving official, according to The Associated Press. There’s also one set of father-son officials (Steve and Brad Freeman), three sons of former NFL referees (Shawn Hochuli, Alex Kemp and line judge Walt Coleman IV), and three sets of brothers (Allen and Rusty Baynes, Jeff and Jerry Bergman, and Carl, Dino, and Perry Paganelli) on the NFL roster, per the AP.
Although it is rare for a former player to become an official, Jones and Killens are not the only ones. Back judge Steve Freeman (former defensive back) and down judge Phil McKinnely (former offensive lineman) both played several seasons in the National Football League.
Officiating isn’t easy. Pro football is even tougher. These new officials, whose headquarters are in New York, have their work cut out for them, but they know the game better than most of the players on the field.