2018 Divisional Playoffs
Hussey, Parry, Torbert, and Cheffers are Divisional Playoff referees
John Hussey, John Parry, Ron Torbert, and Carl Cheffers are the referees for the Divisional Playoffs.
Football Zebras has confirmed the officiating crews for the Divisional Playoffs. Officials are listed with their uniform number, years of NFL experience (including this season), the crew each official worked with in the regular season (by the referee’s name), college, and outside occupation.
All times are Eastern.
Three alternates are assigned to each game: generally, one is designated for the offensive backfield (in recent seasons, this is typically a referee, but can be an umpire), one is on the line of scrimmage (down judge or line judge), and one is a deep position (side judge, field judge, or back judge). When alternates are listed, their position during the regular season is also given. The prior playoff experience that is listed for the crew chief includes his service as an NFL official, including as referee and any other crew position (excluding alternate assignments).Â
Down judge Sarah Thomas received her first on-field postseason assignment, making her the first woman to do so. Replay official Terri Valenti is also assigned to a divisional game.
Also of note, the eventual Super Bowl officials are on the field for this weekend’s games, but not all are from the same crew. Walt Coleman appears to be ending his 30-year career on the sideline, assigned as an alternate this week. He is the only official in NFL history to have worked for 30 seasons and not received a title game assignment.
Saturday, Jan. 12
Colts at Chiefs, 4:35 p.m. NBCÂ
John Hussey is the referee, who is in his 17th season and 4th as referee. This is Hussey’s 11th postseason assignment, including 4 Wild Card Playoffs, 4 Divisional Playoffs, 2 Conference Championships, and Super Bowl XLV.
| Â | Â | Â | Yrs | 2018 crew | College | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 35 | John Hussey | 17 | Â | Idaho State | sales representative, retail logistics group |
| U | 115 | Tony Michalek | 17 | Hussey | Indiana | communications specialist* |
| DJ | 28 | Mark Hittner | 22 | Smith | Pittsburg State | investment broker |
| LJ | 101 | Carl Johnson | 15 | Wrolstad | Nicholls State | former full-time official |
| FJ | 33 | Steve Zimmer | 22 | Allen | Hofstra | attorney |
| SJ | 95 | James Coleman | 14 | Smith | Arkansas | electrical engineer |
| BJ | 111 | Terrence Miles | 11 | Allen | Arizona State | quality control manager* |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay official:Â Terri Valenti
- Replay assistant:Â Jamie Nicholson
- Alternates:Â Walt Anderson (R), Brian Bolinger (LJ), Aaron Santi (SJ)
Cowboys at Rams, 8:15 p.m. FoxÂ
John Parry is the referee, who is in his 19th season and 12th as referee. This is Parry’s 12th postseason assignment, including 2 Wild Card Playoffs, 7 Divisional Playoffs, 1 Conference Championship, and Super Bowls XLI and XLVI. The first Super Bowl assignment was as a side judge.
| Â | Â | Â | Yrs | 2018 crew | College | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 132 | John Parry | 19 | Â | Purdue | financial advisor* |
| U | 11 | Fred Bryan | 10 | Martin | Northern Iowa | superintendent, juvenile correctional facility* |
| DJ | 90 | Mike Spanier | 20 | swing | St Cloud State | middle school principal |
| LJ | 9 | Mark Perlman | 18 | Vinovich | Salem | teacher* |
| FJ | 104 | Dale Shaw | 6 | Boger | Allegheny | pharmaceutical sales |
| SJ | 103 | Eugene Hall | 5 | Cheffers | North Texas | federal agent |
| BJ | 112 | Tony Steratore | 19 | Boger | California (Pa.) | co-owner, supply company |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay official:Â Jim Lapetina
- Replay assistant:Â Chad Adams
- Alternates:Â Walt Coleman (R), Derick Bowers (LJ), Steve Patrick (BJ)
Chargers at Patriots, 1:05 p.m. CBSÂ
Ron Torbert is the referee, who is in his 9th season and 5th as referee. This is Torbert’s 7th postseason assignment, including 3 Wild Card Playoffs and 4 Divisional Playoffs; he has received a playoff assignment in every year he was eligible.
| Â | Â | Â | Yrs | 2018 crew | College | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 62 | Ron Torbert | 9 | Â | Michigan State | attorney |
| U | 49 | Rich Hall | 15 | Kemp | Arizona | custom cabinetry |
| DJ | 53 | Sarah Thomas | 4 | Torbert | Mobile | sales representative |
| LJ | 84 | Mark Steinkerchner | 25 | Torbert | Akron | vice president* |
| FJ | 126 | Brad Rogers | 2 | Smith | Lubbock Christian | college professor |
| SJ | 3 | Scott Edwards | 20 | Torbert | Alabama | environmental engineer |
| BJ | 105 | Dino Paganelli | 13 | Smith | Aquinas College | educator |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay official:Â Mike Chase
- Replay assistant:Â Marv LeBlanc
- Alternates:Â Pete Morelli (R), Walt Coleman IV (LJ), Jabir Walker (SJ)
Eagles at Saints, 4:35 p.m. FoxÂ
Carl Cheffers is the referee, who is in his 19th season and 11th as referee. He has worked 12 postseason assignments, including 4 Wild Card Playoffs, 5 Divisional Playoffs, and 2 Conference Championships, and Super Bowl LI.
| Â | Â | Â | Yrs | 2018 crew | College | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 51 | Carl Cheffers | 19 | Â | California-Irvine | sales manager |
| U | 20 | Barry Anderson | 12 | Cheffers | North Carolina State | builder/developer |
| DJ | 134 | Ed Camp | 19 | Hochuli | William Paterson | physical education teacher* |
| LJ | 32 | Jeff Bergman | 27 | Kemp | Robert Morris | president and chief executive officer, medical services* |
| FJ | 117 | John Jenkins | 5 | Kemp | St. Mary’s | sales executive |
| SJ | 120 | Jonah Monroe | 4 | Boger | Arkansas | engineer* |
| BJ | 46 | Perry Paganelli | 21 | Parry | Hope College | retired high school administrator |
*indicates full-time official
- Replay official:Â Charles Stewart
- Replay assistant:Â Jim Grant
- Alternates:Â Craig Wrolstad (R), Byron Boston (LJ), Jim Quirk (BJ)
