Updates

The NFL roster of game officials for the 2020 season will include six individuals in their first NFL season and one new referee. 

Launching their NFL officiating careers in 2020 are side judge Tra Blake (ACC), field judge Joe Blubaugh (Big 12), line judge Mike Dolce (Big Ten), down judge Frank LeBlanc (Big 12), side judge Clay Reynard (Pacific-12), and umpire Tab Slaughter (Big 12). All six are graduates of the NFL Officiating Department’s Officiating Development Program, which trains top college football officials in all aspects of NFL officiating. 

Land Clark has been promoted to referee for the upcoming season, following two seasons as a field judge. He was a referee in the Pac-12 prior to entering the NFL and has been part of the NFL’s Referee Training Program since his first season in the league.   

The 2020 roster of officials includes three former NFL players – back judge Steve Freeman, field judge Nate Jones, and umpire Terry Killens. 

Freeman, entering his 20th season as an NFL official, was a defensive back for 13 seasons – 12 with the Buffalo Bills and one with the Minnesota Vikings.

Jones joined the NFL officiating staff in 2019 from the Pac-12, following an eight-year career as a defensive back with the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots.  

Killens, who also joined the NFL last season from the ACC, was a linebacker in the NFL for seven seasons. He entered the league as a member of the Houston Oilers before the franchise became the Tennessee Titans. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks before starting his officiating career. 

Freeman and his son, back judge Brad Freeman, represent the lone set of father-son officials active in the NFL. Referees Shawn Hochuli, Alex Kemp, and line judges Walt Coleman IV and Jeff Seeman are the sons of former NFL referees. Additionally, three sets of brothers – Allen and Rusty Baynes, Jeff and Jerry Bergman, and Carl, Dino and Perry Paganelli – appear on the 2020 roster. 

Line judge Jeff Bergman, entering his 29th NFL season, remains the longest-serving official. 

See the full roster of 2020 NFL officials.