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Art McNally, a former NFL referee and pioneer, passed away at the age of 97 according to his son. As of yet, there's no official cause of death given about McNally.
In 1959, McNally's contributions to the NFL started on the field as a field judge and then as a referee for eight seasons (1960 to 1967).
In 1967, McNally became the league's Supervisor of Officials, holding the role until 1991. He went into retirement that year but returned to the NFL in 1995 as the assistant supervisor to officials, a position he held until 2007.
For parts of six decades, McNally was vital in the league's officiating progress and making strides. He was labeled "The Father of Modern Officiating" for implementing the first conventional program for the training and assessment of football personnel in professional sports.
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Having been a fundamental part of the NFL's initial growth, the former referee built himself a stable sum of wealth. His net worth and net income are estimated to be between one and six million dollars. His net worth comes from his time with the NFL, serving as an official and on a selection of committees.
Art McNally was a man of the future in the NFL
McNally boosted the usage of technology, including instant replays, in NFL officiating. Earlier this year, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and was inducted over the summer. He became the first on-field official to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame president Jim Porter released a statement about McNally and his legacy in the NFL.
Porter said:
"Art McNally was a quiet, honest man of integrity. To see Art's decades of service recognized with his enshrinement as part of the Class of 2022 was a special moment for the Hall."
Porter added:
"His legacy as a strong leader who helped usher in the advanced training of officials and the technology necessary to keep up with a faster and more complicated game will be preserved forever in Canton."
Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was behind the creation of the Art McNally Award in 2002. The award is given to current and past officials who personify professionalism, leadership, and sportsmanship.
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