First All-Black Officiating Crew Will Work A NFL Game

NFL History will be made on Monday night’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The week 11 matchup between the two teams will feature the first-ever all-black officiating crew. This is a historic event because of what it means and what it represents. Troy Vincent, the NFL executive vice president of football operations, said, “This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game.”

The NFL usually organizes their 17 officiating crews before the season and keeps them together, doing so because it builds teamwork and communication among them. Due to the pandemic, the NFL resorted to building their officiating crews geographically instead. This reduced travel for all officials because of COVID-19.

The historic crew will be headed by referee Jerome Boger and will include umpire Barry Anderson, down judge Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, side judge Dale Shaw, field judge Anthony Jeffries and back judge Greg Steed.