On a day where big NFL moves and signings dominated the headlines, we were sad to hear about the passing of Johnny Grier, the NFL’s first Black referee.
Grier was an NFL referee for 23 years, working for the league from 1981 to 2004.
Born on April 16th, 1947, the North Carolina native moved north and attended college at the University of the District of Columbia, an HBCU institution.
He began his refereeing career in 1965 at the high school level when he was 18 years old. He moved to college football in 1975 and in 1981, at the age of 34, he made it to the NFL, where he remained for over two decades.
In 1988, he made history again as the first Black referee to officiate an NFL championship game. Ironically, that was the Super Bowl where Doug Wiliams became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
During his career, Grier officiated in 15 playoff games as both a judge (7) and referee (8). He also worked as a field judge in Super Bowl XXII, after which he retired due to a leg injury.
In 1993, Grier received his biggest assignment as the umpire of the 1993 AFC Championship Game featuring the Chiefs and Bills.
Although he retired, Grier continued working for the NFL in the league’s umpire’s office and also as the supervisor of officials for the MEAC conference.
Grier wore the number 23 his entire career. That number is now worn by Jerome Boger, another African-American referee, in honor of Grier.
Johnny Grier was 74. Rest In Peace trailblazer.
