All Sections. About Us. B2B Publishing. Business Visionaries. Hot Property. Times Events. Times Store. Hochuli had worked a pre-season game that year in Tokyo, Japan, as a back judge when he received a telephone call following the game from then-senior Director of Officiating, Jerry Seeman.
Seeman asked Hochuli to work as a referee for the first time when the Denver Broncos hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in a pre-season game. In addition to working two Super Bowls, he has officiated five conference championship games as of the start of the NFL season. Every officiating game performance is graded by the league each week. These grades determine which officials are assigned playoff games, as well as the Super Bowl.
Hochuli credits his mentor, Jerry Markbreit, a four-time Super Bowl referee, as the greatest influence on his career. During the final moments of the game, Miami placekicker Pete Stoyanovich had a field goal attempt blocked.
With the information gathered from the officials, he ruled that Miami retained possession of the football. Stoyanovich booted the ensuing winning field goal for the Miami win. On the first penalty announcement of the game, Hochuli gave the explanation in Spanish to pay respect to the host city and country. Hochuli officiated the first regular-season game at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 10, , when the Cardinals hosted the 49ers.
He was the referee for the game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, played December 17, , that included Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre becoming the all-time leader for pass completions among quarterbacks in the NFL. Favre was unaware that his 4, pass completions were a record until he was informed during the game by Hochuli. Hochuli was the referee again for another Favre record-breaking moment when Favre threw the st touchdown pass of his career on September 30, , at the Hubert H.
He also reffed the Week 17 game in in which the Lions became the first of two NFL teams so far to go 0—16 in a season, with the other being the Browns. It was not a hold. The defender was just overpowered. He made an incorrect call with left in the game, while Denver was in possession of the ball at the San Diego one-yard line and they were trailing the Chargers by seven points. Ed Hochuli blew his whistle during the play, signaling that the play was dead and ruling an incomplete pass.
Officials strive for perfection — I failed miserably. The best explanation is it was almost like dyslexia. Another thing Hochuli became famous for a few years later was his physique. Hochuli is an avid fitness buff, and his weight lifting regimen made him, well, buff. It also gave other officials the inspiration to be as strong and fit as possible. Ed and Shawn got to work a preseason game together in when Shawn was a member of the Officiating Development Program. Ed Hochuli never cruised on reputation and was consistently assigned playoff games, missing out on an on-field playoff assignment only twice from until he retired in He lives in the Phoenix area with his wife Cathie.
The couple have six children and 10 grandchildren. He also mentors current and prospective NFL officials. As we celebrate Christmas today, we at Football Zebras also wish Ed Hochuli a happy, healthy and prosperous 70th birthday! Embed from Getty Images. Share on Facebook Share. Share on Twitter Tweet.
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