Iconic NFL referee Hochuli retires, replaced by son

Ed Hochuli’s days as an NFL referee are over, but the Hochuli name will live on in the league.

The 67-year-old Hochuli is retiring after working as an NFL official since 1990, but his son Shawn Hochuli has been promoted from his job as a back judge to replace him.

Ed Hochuli joins Jeff Triplette, whose retirement was confirmed earlier this year, as outgoing referees. The NFL elevated side judge Alex Kemp to fill Triplette’s position.

Hochuli will continue to work with the NFL as an independent consultant to the league.

Wearing his famed number 85, the elder Hochuli earned a reputation among fans for his in-depth descriptions of penalty calls, as well as his impressive physique. He began his career as a back judge before being promoted to referee in 1992.

Hochuli, who worked two Super Bowls in his career, was the league’s second-longest tenured official last season behind Walt Coleman, who began his NFL career in 1989.

Shawn Hochuli started working for the NFL in 2014 after working as a Pac-12 Conference official.

–Field Level Media