Who is Super Bowl LVII referee Carl Cheffers? A look at the NFL head referee and Chiefs-Eagles officiating crew

Carl Cheffers will officiate his third Super Bowl when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs at the State Farm Stadium. The Whittier-born referee was in charge of Super Bowl LI in 2017 and Super Bowl LV in 2021.

Carl Cheffers is a highly regarded official who has been part of the NFL officiating crew since 2000. Over the past two decades, he has earned a reputation as one of the best referees in the league and has become a staple of the NFL officiating crew.

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Carl Cheffer’s Career in the NFL

Carl Cheffers' journey to the NFL began in the late 1990s when he started officiating college football games in the Western Athletic Conference. His strong performances caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he was eventually offered a position as an NFL official in 2000.

Since then, Carl Cheffers has worked his way up the ranks through consistency and reliability, becoming one of the most respected referees in the NFL. The 62-year-old has been a referee in the last 15 of his 23 years officiating the NFL.

One of the critical reasons for Cheffers' success is his ability to stay calm and composed under pressure. He has a deep understanding of the rules of the game, and he can make split-second decisions in high-stakes situations. This has earned him the respect of players, coaches, and fans, making him one of the most sought-after referees in the NFL.

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Carl Cheffers at the Super Bowl

Carl Cheffers gained notoriety for heading the crew that called eight penalties against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half of Super Bowl 55. They made for 95 penalty yards and six additional first downs.

The Chiefs suffered a defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a total of 15 penalties called during the game.

Another game officiated by Cheffers' team was Super Bowl LI between the Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, where 13 penalties were called.

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Super Bowl LVII Officiating Crew

Roy Ellison will be the Umpire for the game, while Dino Paganelli will serve as the Back Judge. Ellison and Paganelli will also be officiating their third Super Bowl alongside Carl Cheffers. Elison was previously at Super Bowl XLIII (2009) and LII (2018), while Paganelli was an official in Super Bowl XLVIII (2014) and LV (2021).

Jeff Bergman will work as the Line Judge when the Eagles face the Chiefs. Bergman, who is also appearing in his third Super Bowl, will retire after the game, ending his 30-year career in the NFL. Eugene Hall, who is entering the Super Bowl officiating crew for the third time in five seasons, will serve as the Side Judge.

Jerrod Phillips has been assigned as the Down Judge. John Jenkins will also serve as the Field Judge, working at the Super Bowl for the first time after nine years in the NFL. Mark Butterworth will work as the Replay Official for the highly anticipated game.