Popular NFL Referee Who Officiated 3 Super Bowls Has Tragically Passed Away
NFL referee (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The football community is mourning the death of former NFL referee Jim Tunney.
Tunney, who worked three Super Bowls and was known as “the dean of referees,” passed away peacefully at his home in Pebble Beach, California, on Thursday at the age of 95.
He was the second-oldest living on-field official before his death.
Legendary NFL official Jim Tunney dead at 95 https://t.co/UFueBW7F2Q
pic.twitter.com/SNzMrysnrx— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 16, 2024
“Jim Tunney was an officiating legend,” Walt Anderson, a former referee who now works as an officiating rules analyst, said (H/T Football Zebras).
“For decades, he was not only an outstanding referee, but a credit to the entire officiating profession. He took the time to mentor young officials, and his tremendous integrity earned him the respect of the entire football community, especially those who played and coached the game at the highest level.”
Jim Tunney Was One Of The Longest-Serving Refs In NFL History
Jim Tunney rejected an invitation to join the AFL when it was starting up, beginning his NFL career in 1960. He is one of just seven officials to have worked as a ref for more than 30 years and officiated approximately 444 NFL games. Football Zebras and Quirky Research could not provide an exact number because of gaps in game records in the 1960s.
The former official was a field judge during the 1966 season and was a referee until he retired in 1990. He and Ben Dreith, another former ref, have the record for the most service in the NFL.
“Jim was an absolute legend of the game.”
“He’s the guy that we all wanted to be.”
Terry McAulay (along with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinworth) honors longtime referee Jim Tunney, who passed away on Tuesday at 95. pic.twitter.com/deaqucwV7r
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 16, 2024
“Jim was an absolute legend of the game.”
“He’s the guy that we all wanted to be.”
Terry McAulay (along with Mike Tirico and Cris Collinworth) honors longtime referee Jim Tunney, who passed away on Tuesday at 95. pic.twitter.com/deaqucwV7r
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 16, 2024
TPS offers condolences to Tunney’s family, friends, and loved ones.
