While the NFL conference championship games are yet to unfold,the league has already announced the officiating crew for Super Bowl LIX, set to take place in New Orleans on February 9th.
Ron Torbert, a seasoned referee who officiated Super Bowl LVI when the Los angeles Rams triumphed over the Cincinnati Bengals, will once again lead the crew, this time at the Caesars superdome.
Among Torbert’s team, only side umpire Boris Cheek has prior Super Bowl experiance.
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NFL referee Ron Torbert during the Arizona Cardinals game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Revillas-USA Today Sports)
Interestingly, referee Mike Morton has Super bowl experience as a player, having been part of the St. Louis Rams team that lost in Super Bowl XXXIV.
As reported by Ben Austro of Football zebras, Morton is set to make history by becoming the first individual to both play and officiate in a Super Bowl.
The rest of the officiating team includes down judge Max Causey, line judge mark Stewart, field judge Mearl Robinson, back judge Jonah Monroe, and replay referee Kevin Brown.
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It’s noteworthy that both Morton and Causey are only in their third season as officials, a departure from the usual requirement of at least five years of experience for Super Bowl assignments.
torbert, on the other hand, began his NFL officiating career as a back judge in 2010 and transitioned to the role of referee in 2014.
Referee Ron Torbert engages in a discussion with Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zack Taylor during the third quarter of the AFC Championship game against the Kansas city Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Denny Medley – USA Today Sports)
Data from Pro Football Reference reveals that Torbert oversaw games with an average of 11.40 additional yards and recorded one extra penalty (1.03) throughout the 2024 season.
This weekend, Torbert and his officiating crew will learn which two teams they will oversee in the upcoming matchups.
The first game will feature the Washington commanders and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, where they will battle for the NFC’s spot in New Orleans.
During the regular season, the NFC East rivals split their series, with Commanders’ standout rookie Jayden Daniels orchestrating a thrilling game-winning drive on home turf.
NFL official Ron torbert overseeing the action during the Cincinnati Bengals vs.Los Angeles Rams showdown in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. (Mark J. Revillas-USA Today Sports)
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next up, the highly anticipated AFC rematch between the Kansas city Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will take place at GEHA Field at arrowhead Stadium. While the Bills secured a victory over the Chiefs earlier in the regular season, the Chiefs turned the tables in the postseason, leveraging their home advantage to clinch the win. This clash promises to be a thrilling encounter for football fans.
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The NFL has officially announced the officiating crew for Super Bowl LIX, set to take place on February 9th in New orleans at the Caesars Superdome. Leading the crew will be Ron Torbert, a seasoned referee with prior Super Bowl experience, having officiated Super Bowl LVI when the los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. Torbert, who began his NFL officiating career as a back judge in 2010 and transitioned to referee in 2014, will once again take center stage in one of the most high-pressure roles in sports.
A Crew with a Mix of experience and History
Among Torbert’s team, only side umpire Boris Cheek has prior super Bowl experience, making this crew a relatively fresh-faced group for the biggest game of the year. Notably, referee Mike Morton is set to make history by becoming the first individual to both play and officiate in a Super Bowl. Morton, who was part of the St. Louis Rams team that lost in Super Bowl XXXIV, is now in his third season as an NFL official. His inclusion, along with down judge Max Causey, marks a departure from the usual requirement of at least five years of experience for Super Bowl assignments.
the rest of the officiating team includes:
- Down Judge: Max Causey
- Line Judge: Mark Stewart
- Field Judge: Mearl Robinson
- Back Judge: Jonah Monroe
- Replay Referee: Kevin Brown
Torbert’s Track Record
According to data from Pro Football Reference, Torbert oversaw games during the 2024 season that averaged 11.40 additional yards and recorded one extra penalty (1.03) per game. His ability to manage high-stakes matchups has been proven in the past, including his handling of the AFC Championship game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, where he engaged in discussions with Bengals head coach Zac Taylor during a tense third quarter.
The Road to Super Bowl LIX
This weekend, Torbert and his crew will officiate the NFC Championship game between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Commanders and Eagles, NFC East rivals, split their regular-season series, with washington’s standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrating a thrilling game-winning drive on home turf. The winner of this matchup will secure their spot in Super Bowl LIX,where Torbert and his team will oversee the culmination of the NFL season.
What to Watch For
the selection of torbert and his crew highlights the NFL’s confidence in their ability to manage the high-pressure environment of the Super Bowl. However, the inclusion of less experienced officials like Morton and Causey raises questions about how they will handle the spotlight. Morton’s unique perspective as both a former player and now an official could provide an captivating dynamic, but it remains to be seen how his inexperience might impact the game.
As the NFL season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Torbert and his crew to ensure a fair and well-officiated Super Bowl. With the stakes higher than ever, their performance will undoubtedly be scrutinized by fans, players, and analysts alike. The stage is set for an unforgettable showdown in New Orleans, and the officiating crew will play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of Super Bowl LIX.
