Ferris State Graduate Selected to Referee the Super Bowl

Normally when you talk about a college graduate being in the Super Bowl, you think of a football player. This time it's a referee who graduated from Ferris State.

Becoming an NFL Referee

Maybe you have refereed a few high school games and want to become one in the NFL? That is not how this position works because it takes at least a decade-long journey that requires extensive officiating experience.

Yes, starting out as a high school referee is part of it, but you would also need to excel in college football experience. Plus, you would need intense physical fitness, mastery of the rules, and psychological readiness, with progression through the NFL Football Operation Development Program.

Similar to how there are NFL scouts attending to certain college games, there is NFL referee scouting that is vital to earning a fill-time crew spot.

Read More: Missing Former NFL Player Sam Beal Last Seen in Virginia

From Ferris State to the Super Bowl: Graduate to Referee

A former graduate of Ferris State, Shawn Smith, seen above talking with a Minnesota Viking wide receiver has been selected to be a member of the Super Bowl LX referee crew.

According to WOOD, Smith graduated from Ferris State in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in accountancy, but as many college graduates his path led to the NFL. Smith got his start as a high school football official while still attending college.

Get our free mobile app

Smith went on to pay his dues officiating college games from Division II games to D-I, working for Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, and the Big Ten. After 11 seasons with NFL, Smith is now officiating the grand daddy of them all, Super Bowl LX.

👇BELOW: Hilarious "Sexy" Referee Themed Boudoir Photo Shoot👇