HL Tom Stabile retiring after Pro Bowl

Veteran official retiring “on my own terms”

Tom Stabile, whose NFL career spanned 20 years and includes a Super Bowl assignment, will retire after working the Pro Bowl.  Stable, 68, told his local newspaper that he made the decision to retire “at mid-season so that I may retire on my own terms.”

Stabile began his officiating career in 1966 by officiating high school sports in Pennsylvania.  He eventually worked his way up to college officiating in the Big East (now the American Athletic Conference) before joining the NFL in 1995.  He worked several playoff games in his career, highlighted by him working Super Bowl XLVI.

Stabile says his most memorable call happened November 15, 2009, when the New England Patriots played the Indianapolis Colts.  The Patriots went for it on fourth down, while in the lead.  It appeared that the receiver caught the ball beyond the line to gain; however the receiver juggled the catch, was driven back and didn’t gain control and complete the catch until he was behind the line to gain.  Stabile marked him short, the Colts recovered on downs, and eventually went on to win the game (video). The NFL officiating office said Stabile made the correct call.

Off the field, Stabile worked as teacher and principal, retiring after a 35-year career.

The Pennsylvania resident has a son currently working college football and he is still a licensed high school baseball and basketball official and might continue calling those sports.

Congratulations to Tom Stabile for a great officiating career and best wishes in retirement.