Some football fans are rooting for the 49ers in Super Bowl 58. Others are cheering on the Chiefs. But most neutral observers might have just one wish: any result that isn't directly impacted by officiating.
Super Bowl 57 effectively ended on a penalty, with a defensive holding call on Eagles CB James Bradberry allowing the Chiefs to kick the go-ahead field goal with little time left on the clock. While the validity of the call can be debated, most fans who tuned into an otherwise thrilling game weren't exactly satisfied with that ending.
Whether at the start of the game or the end, key calls will undoubtedly impact Super Bowl 58. The Chiefs and 49ers rank 12th and 17th, respectively, in penalties per game, so these aren't two teams guaranteed to play a clean game despite getting all the way to the Super Bowl.
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Here are the officials who will have final say in Super Bowl 58.
Super Bowl 2024 referee, officials
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- Umpire: Terry Killens
- Down Judge: Patrick Holt
- Line Judge: Mark Perlman
- Field Judge: Tom Hill
- Side Judge: Allen Baynes
- Back Judge: Brad Freeman
- Replay Official: Mike Chase
Vinovich is the head referee of the Super Bowl for the third time in his career. HIs most recent assignment came four years ago in Super Bowl 54, which also featured the Chiefs and 49ers.
Much remains the same since that matchup. The same two head coaches will be on the sideline and the same uniforms will be worn. Vinovich is just one more piece that might have fans experiencing déjà vu.
Vinovich also led the crew that officiated Super Bowl 49 between the Patriots and Seahawks.
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Super Bowl 58 will be Perlman's fourth as a line judge. He was part of Vinovich's other two Super Bowl crews, plus Super Bowl 40 between the Colts and Bears.
Hill was part of Vinovich's Super Bowl 49 crew as a side judge, and he also worked Super Bowls 40 and 52. Chase, meanwhile, was the replay official for Vinovich's crew in Super Bowl 54.
This is the first Super Bowl assignment for Killens, Holt, Baynes and Freeman.
Super Bowl 58 will see a completely different crew than last year's Super Bowl, which is standard. The decisions the officiating crew will have to make won't necessarily be any easier, though. Staying out of the spotlight could be an uphill battle for Vinovich & Co. with more than 100 million people tuning in Sunday.
