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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — An all-Black officiating crew labored an NFL recreation for the primary time in league historical past when the Los Angeles Rams confronted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night time.
Referee Jerome Boger led the crew, which additionally included umpire Barry Anderson, down choose Julian Mapp, line choose Carl Johnson, facet choose Dale Shaw, area choose Anthony Jeffries and again choose Greg Steed.
When the NFL introduced the crew was being assembled final week, league govt vp of soccer operations Troy Vincent hailed the transfer a “a testomony to the numerous and immeasurable contributions of Black officers to the sport, their exemplary efficiency, and to the facility of inclusion that’s the hallmark of this nice recreation.”
5 members of the crew work collectively commonly. Johnson and Steed joined the group for Monday night time’s matchup between NFC playoff contenders.
The members of the crew have a mixed 89 seasons of NFL expertise and have labored six Tremendous Bowls.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians, who’s been supportive of range in hiring all through the league, applauded the choice.
“Method too lengthy coming,” Arians mentioned. “I do know a whole lot of these guys. They’re nice officers. … It’s a historic night time, and I feel it’s implausible.
The primary Black official in any main sport was Burl Toler, employed by the NFL in 1965.
Extra AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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