Johnny Grier started out as a referee in high school football, moved on to college football, and joined the NFL as a field judge in 1981. He was a field judge for Super Bowl XII in 1988. Grier was promoted to referee for the start of the 1988 season, becoming the NFL’s first black referee. He worked 15 playoff games during his career, retiring as a referee in in 2004 from a leg injury. He then became an officiating supervisor for the NFL.
Tributes to Johnny Grier
We express our heartfelt condolences to the Grier family on the passing of Johnny Grier, one of the all-time greats of our league. pic.twitter.com/Xegjj77WaU
Johnny Grier, the @NFL’s first Black referee and the field judge for Super Bowl XXII, was a trailblazer who paved the way for those in the field of @NFLOfficiating and beyond.
Johnny Grier — the @NFL's first Black referee — had a distinguished 24-year career as an official, including 15 post-season games before becoming an officiating supervisor for the League. pic.twitter.com/EhuQg3vwjS
as recently as the 1980s we were prevented from refereeing just as we were prevented from quarterbacking. now we are confronting the final frontier of equality: coaching, GMing, ownership. it will happen. thank you Johnny Grier and others who showed us what should be. https://t.co/n0DhL6OKg9
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