The Right Call Historic News Delivered
Enshrinement
Published on : 2/17/2022
One mantra for sports officials reminds them: “It is about the game, not about you.”
Another states, “Don’t be seen; don’t be heard – unless by the rule book.”
Even with the exposure instant replay and social media brings to officials, fans know few by name, and almost nobody really knows who they are and how they come and go.
That is about to change.
Art McNally, a U.S Marine veteran, began his journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 22 years of officiating experience, over 3,000 games, mostly football. He was an NFL referee from 1960 to 1967, then was selected by Commissioner Pete Rozelle and retained by Paul Tagliabue as a supervisor and the director of officiating through 1991. After a short retirement, he was brought back as an Officiating Observer and Trainer from, staying involved in the game for a half-century until age 89.
The fourth member of the Class of 2022 to receive a knock on his door, McNally, now 96, was surrounded by his wife, son, daughter and their spouses when his former boss walked across a cul-de-sac in suburban Philadelphia.
Hall of Famer Paul Tagliabue’s knocked on the door, entered and sat next to his friend and former colleague. He then delivered historic news: McNally had been elected as the first on-field official to be enshrined in Canton.
“Thank you so very much for this great honor,” McNally said. “I don’t believe it. I am going to go to Canton.”
The two men chatted for 40 minutes, exchanging stories about the evolution to instant replay, which McNally brought to the game, and what his election would mean to those hundreds of officials who have been so integral to the game. Without officials’ unwavering dedication to their craft, their supporters say, the game would not occupy the position it holds today.
Add another note to the record books: McNally becomes the oldest man elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ed Sabol, 94 when enshrined, moves to second, and Dick Vermeil, notified of his election just hours before McNally, steps into third on that list at age 85.
As the meeting wrapped up, traveling to Canton this summer became the goal. The family excitedly talked about heading west in an RV – even if they have to throw a challenge flag on Art’s call to avoid the spotlight.
Another states, “Don’t be seen; don’t be heard – unless by the rule book.”
Even with the exposure instant replay and social media brings to officials, fans know few by name, and almost nobody really knows who they are and how they come and go.
That is about to change.
Art McNally, a U.S Marine veteran, began his journey to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 22 years of officiating experience, over 3,000 games, mostly football. He was an NFL referee from 1960 to 1967, then was selected by Commissioner Pete Rozelle and retained by Paul Tagliabue as a supervisor and the director of officiating through 1991. After a short retirement, he was brought back as an Officiating Observer and Trainer from, staying involved in the game for a half-century until age 89.
The fourth member of the Class of 2022 to receive a knock on his door, McNally, now 96, was surrounded by his wife, son, daughter and their spouses when his former boss walked across a cul-de-sac in suburban Philadelphia.
Hall of Famer Paul Tagliabue’s knocked on the door, entered and sat next to his friend and former colleague. He then delivered historic news: McNally had been elected as the first on-field official to be enshrined in Canton.
🎥 Watch Art McNally's Knock:
“Thank you so very much for this great honor,” McNally said. “I don’t believe it. I am going to go to Canton.”
The two men chatted for 40 minutes, exchanging stories about the evolution to instant replay, which McNally brought to the game, and what his election would mean to those hundreds of officials who have been so integral to the game. Without officials’ unwavering dedication to their craft, their supporters say, the game would not occupy the position it holds today.
Add another note to the record books: McNally becomes the oldest man elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ed Sabol, 94 when enshrined, moves to second, and Dick Vermeil, notified of his election just hours before McNally, steps into third on that list at age 85.
As the meeting wrapped up, traveling to Canton this summer became the goal. The family excitedly talked about heading west in an RV – even if they have to throw a challenge flag on Art’s call to avoid the spotlight.
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