It's our responsibility to strengthen the sport.
Ensuring a consistent and fair game that is decided on the field, by the players.
Ensuring that players conduct themselves in a way that honors the sport and respects the game.
Knees Bent. Pads Down. Head Up.
The NFL is proud of the HBCU professional football legacy.
Honoring the league’s commitment to serve the communities where the game is played.
Meet the people behind NFL Operations.
Learn about the people, the jobs and the technology that deliver the best game possible to NFL fans across the U.S. and around the world.
Countdown to kickoff: how NFL games happen.
In the NFL, balancing technology with tradition.
How television has changed the game.
Upon further review…
It takes hundreds of computers and four NFL executives to create the NFL’s 256-game masterpiece.
The inaugural analytics contest explores statistical innovations in football — how the game is played and coached.
Promoting the values of football.
Learn how NFL players have changed over time, how they’re developed and drafted and how the league works with them after their playing days are over.
Creating an NFL player: from “everyman” to “superman.”
Supporting the next generation of players and fans.
Preparing players of all ages for success at football’s highest level.
Introducing the next wave of NFL superstars.
A look at the programs and services NFL Player Engagement provides to assist every player before, during and after his football career.
Strengthening football and the community.
Strengthening the NFL brotherhood.
Discover the evolution of professional officiating, the weekly evaluation process and how the NFL identifies and develops the next generation of officials.
“One thing hasn’t changed: the pressure. It will always be there.”
The latest information from the NFL's officiating command center.
Every week, officials take the field ready to put months of preparation, training and hard work on display, knowing that the whole world — and the Officiating Department — is watching.
Officiating an NFL game takes years of training and experience.
NFL Football Operations protects the integrity of the game by ensuring that the rules and the officiating are consistent and fair to all competitors.
The custodians of football not only have protected its integrity, but have also revised its playing rules to protect the players, and to make the games fairer and more entertaining.
The NFL Video Rulebook explains NFL rules with video examples.
Explore the official rules of the game.
The NFL's procedures for breaking ties for postseason playoffs.
The NFL's familiar hand signals help fans better understand the game.
A quick reference guide to the NFL rulebook.
Sharpen your NFL football knowledge with this glossary of the game's fundamental terms.
See where the players line up in pro football's most common offensive and defensive formations.
Understand what the graphics on NFL television broadcasts mean and how they can help you get the most out of watching NFL games.
The NFL’s instant replay review process focuses on expediting instant replay reviews and ensuring consistency. Learn how it works.
Go inside the game with the NFL's official game stats. Sort the stats by season or by week.
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Get a snapshot of the current NFL game stats, updated weekly during the regular season.
Referee Bill Vinovich will lead the NFL’s seven-member officiating crew when the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots take the field for Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Vinovich will be joined by umpire Bill Schuster, head linesman Dana McKenzie, line judge Mark Perlman, field judge Bob Waggoner, side judge Tom Hill and back judge Terrence Miles. Together, this officiating crew brings 86 years of NFL officiating experience and 59 combined games of playoff experience to the Super Bowl.
NFL Referee Bill Vinovich makes a call during an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014 in Detroit. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Vinovich, in his 12th season as an NFL game official and ninth as a referee, joined the league in 2001 as a side judge and was promoted to referee in 2004. He has officiated five playoff games, including three divisional playoffs, and was the alternate referee for Super Bowl XLVII.
To be eligible for the Super Bowl, officials must be rated in the top tier at their position by the league’s Officiating Department, have at least five years of NFL experience and have previous playoff officiating experience.
Learn more about how the NFL Officiating Department evaluates, trains and mentors its officials.
Mike Wimmer will be the game’s replay official. The replay assistant will be Terry Poulos.
This is the first Super Bowl assignment for Vinovich, Schuster, McKenzie and Miles, and the third for Perlman, who previously worked Super Bowls XL and XLIII. Hill and Waggoner also officiated Super Bowl XL.
The game begins at 6:30 p.m. EST at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Super Bowl XLIX officials
Position |
Official |
NFL Seasons |
Playoff Games |
Uniform # |
Referee |
Bill Vinovich |
9 |
5 |
52 |
Umpire |
Bill Schuster |
15 |
8 |
129 |
Head linesman |
Dana McKenzie |
7 |
4 |
8 |
Line judge |
Mark Perlman |
14 |
15 |
9 |
Field judge |
Bob Waggoner |
18 |
11 |
25 |
Side judge |
Tom Hill |
16 |
13 |
97 |
Back judge |
Terrence Miles |
7 |
3 |
111 |