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By Peter Jackel

In the same shadows and light images of eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback John where he made a pledge to his Huarte working his magic for Notre Dame were beaming from the little girl one autumn afternoon television. in 1964, Jerry Markbreit reflects Captivated by the magnitude of the game and inspired by the on what has been a charmed, relentless spirit that would elevate him to such enormous heights fulfilling life. in the coming years, Markbreit turned to four-year-old Betsy, the He remembers when he was younger of his two daughters, and almost compulsively revealed 29 years old and had returned the promise he had made to himself. from officiating a high school “Some day, I’m going to be working those games that you’re football game between Luther watching on television,” Markbreit declared. LEE CALKINS South and the Harvard School “Some day” came less than a year later. Betsy Markbreit for Boys. As he unpacked his answered the phone on July 11, 1965. She assumed it was a hoax dirty, sweaty uniform from a bag since her daddy’s officiating friends were known to make crank in the rec room of his tri-level calls to him. Without placing her hand over the phone she said, home in the suburb of “Dad, someone on the phone is pretending to be Bill Reed.” Jerry Markbreit’s ability to control a game, precise mechanics and eloquence on the microphone are legendary. Skokie, the black-and-white It wasn’t a joke this time. It was the real Bill Reed, commissioner of the Big 10 Conference, and he was As the recipient of NASO’s coveted Gold inviting Markbreit to make the daunting step up to Whistle Award for 2007 reflected on his career, he Division I . In the coming years, could see the very spot where he made that solemn little Betsy would grow into a young woman and pledge to Betsy so many years ago. Jerry would develop into one of the all-time greats Betsy Markbreit died of congestive heart failure of his profession, moving from the Big 10 to the at the age of 45 on May 13, 2006, following an NFL in 1976 and providing the league with 458 illness of two and a half years, and his reflections games of excellence covering nearly a quarter are so much more powerful and poignant. In the century. same shadows and light where he made his pledge Damn, did Jerry Markbreit know his stuff! 43 years ago, the irony was obvious to the now 72- “He was one of the best that we ever had,” year-old Markbreit. longtime officiating great Jim Tunney flatly said. “Betsy passed away a year ago, but we always The pages flew off the calendar of Markbreit’s talked about it and she remembered what I said,” REFEREE REFEREE life until he found himself in that same rec room Markbreit said. “Everybody thinks, ‘I’m going to this year, reflecting on an officiating career that be there,’ but I really thought I had a chance to get ended on his own terms in January 1999, while he somewhere in officiating. How far, I didn’t know, As comfortable behind a podium as he was on the field, Jerry Markbreit is a popular speaker even for non-officiating still was where he had been all along — on top. but my goal was to get to the Big 10.” groups. But his words to officials still carry plenty of weight.

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Just as Betsy’s spirit lives on, so does Jerry Markbreit’s almost all of the (previous recipients) did a lot of Markbreit has also appeared on the big screen. In a classic legacy, which is amplified so much more with the Gold charitable things and donated all kinds of money. case of art imitating life, Markbreit portrayed a referee in the The Referee as Author Whistle Award. Just as Markbreit cherishes his daughter’s I never had the wherewithal to do that. Harrison Ford film The Sum of All Fears. memory with a heavy heart, he’ll cherish an award that will Everything I did was officiating. I mean, I do a lot But his eloquence is not restricted to the spoken word. Typical of his attitude remind him of the esteem in which he is held by so many of public speaking for organizations and Markbreit’s stories and philosophies have been told in three about sharing throughout the officiating industry. charities, but nothing that was that special. A lot books: The Armchair Referee, Born to Referee: My Life on the knowledge, Jerry “The Gold Whistle Award has always been like the of people do that.” Markbreit didn’t Gridiron and Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee. Each season, become an author out Academy Award of officiating,” said Markbreit, who credits Markbreit believes what he says, but he fails to Markbreit answers fans’ questions in a weekly column that of vanity or to make the support of his wife of 51 years, Roberta, and his surviving realize few people have accomplished what he appears on the Chicago Tribune website. money. He did it to be daughter, Kathy, for much of his success. “I never thought I has. He may be the only one in the entire Markbreit has set the bar high for his successors. But he is helpful. would have a chance to get it because, to my knowledge, officiating industry who feels his work hasn’t first in line to provide the boost they may need to clear that In the preface to his merited the award. barrier. Ask , who has emerged as a worthy 1973 book The By definition, the Gold Whistle Award Armchair Referee, successor to Markbreit as the model for refereeing excellence, Markbreit said he wrote Then-NFL supervisor of “recognizes an individual who has made what an inspiring template Markbreit has been. a book about the officials Art McNally wasn’t tremendous contributions to his or her “In how many years it’s been for the NFL, there have been basics of football to sure Jerry Markbreit could community and has experienced a successful probably three referees that stood out in the different ages and help a neighbor. make the jump from line officiating career.” Clearly, the emphasis is on “He is always waiting judge to referee after just Jerry Markbreit is certainly one of those,” Hochuli said. “There for me with a list of one year in the league. contribution to the community. certainly has been no one with any greater influence on my questions,” Markbreit Today, McNally says Let’s take it one step at a time. Solely as an career than Jerry Markbreit. wrote. “I decided to Markbreit proved him official, Markbreit holds his place with the giants “I couldn’t speak enough of what I think about him as a write this book for him wrong. “Right from the of all time, as underscored by the 28 onfield referee and, even more importantly, as an individual. I think and all the other very beginning, he was just an outstanding playoff assignments including four Super Bowls Jerry is just a wonderful human being and I am both proud and football fans around referee,” says McNally. (and an alternate for three others) in the 21 honored to count him as a friend. He has been a tremendous the country with lists of seasons he was eligible to work the postseason. mentor to me.” questions and no one Markbreit is often sought as a speaker, and not around to answer Mentor. That title explains why Markbreit will be adding the them.” always for officiating groups. Regardless of the Gold Whistle Award to his rapidly expanding collection of The first of three audience, Markbreit gets his message across in a officiating honors (he was honored by the NFL Referees books Markbreit clear and positive way, just as he did when he Association in April and has been elected to the Jewish Sports produced included clicked on his microphone to announce a penalty. Hall of Fame). definitions of common Through those speeches and appearances “His unselfishness has led to constant meetings and clinics terms, explanations of Markbreit has put a positive face on the industry. penalties and with the sole intent to help young officials be the best they can descriptions of the Even though his onfield career ended nine be,” said Mike Pereira, NFL vice president of officiating. “To officials and their years ago, Markbreit can still be seen during this day, he continues to work with referees from the high duties. televised games. Of all the retired referees in the school level to the professional ranks. He will give just as much Markbreit world, the Miller Brewing Co. chose Markbreit of himself to a high school referee as he will to the Bill Carollos collaborated with for its “Men of the Square Table” ad campaign. of the world. That is what I love about Jerry.” author and Even though he spoke but one line, Markbreit’s screenwriter Alan Markbreit understands that if he can play a role in someone Steinberg for his face is so ingrained in the public consciousness matching or even surpassing whatever he accomplished as a second book, Born to that most fans recognized him immediately. referee, his legacy has been enhanced all the more. Referee. The 1998 “Nobody gets anywhere by themselves,” Markbreit said. book included “There’s nothing original in officiating at any level. Everything highlights from his you learn, you learn from other officials and I feel it’s the career, including the game in which he DALE TAIT obligation of successful officials to pay back all of the things penalized Ohio St. that were given to them to other people. Give all of the Coach knowledge that you have and all the little things that made for a tantrum that people better to other officials just like others did for you. included tearing apart criteria continue to emphasize a the sideline markers, and his ejection of candidate’s officiating career, overall Green Bay defensive lineman Charles integrity and service to the community Martin for bodyslamming Chicago of officials. quarterback Jim McMahon. Upon his retirement, Markbreit teamed In chronological order, here are the with Steinberg again for Last Call, which 19 previous Gold Whistle Award winners: COURTESY OF MILLER BREWING included stories about his final days on Art McNally, 1988; the late Ed Myer, the field. 1989; the late Pete Pavia, 1990; Larry But he hasn’t stopped tapping a Barnett, 1991; Jim Tunney, 1992; Steve keyboard. During the football season, Palermo, 1993; Ron Asselstine, 1994; Ed Hightower, 1995; Markbreit’s answers to questions The Gold Whistle Award was created in 1987 Bernie Saggau, 1996; the late Ted Butcher, 1997; the late submitted to the Chicago Tribune sports by the NASO board of directors. Designed to Durwood Merrill, 1998; Tommy Nunez, 1999; Tom Dooley, 2000; department appear on the newspaper’s COURTESY OF THE NFL NETWORK recognize the efforts of outstanding citizens Paul Stewart, 2001; Larry Young, 2002; Bob Delaney 2003; Bob web page. The medium has changed, but not his who also happen to be sports officials or McElwee 2004; John W. Keys 2005; Blow the Whistle on Cancer The joke was on the viewer in a promo ad for the NFL Network (left). Markbreit desire to be helpful. officiating-related organizations, the award Campaign, 2006. is peering not into a replay screen, but a microwave. Markbreit also shared a seat with the Men of the Square Table in a commercial for Miller Lite (right).

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Sprawled out on his bed after dinner and too finally started officiating intramural football. They gave tired to digest his homework assignments, me an orange ‘IM’ jersey, three bucks a game and a Markbreit’s mother, Rena, used to take a seat rulebook and I went out and started working beside his single bed and read to her only son as intramural football. And I kind of liked it. It was fun.” he struggled to stay awake. To this day, Markbreit From working just another high school football game recalls his mother reading A Tale of Two Cities to in the 1950s all the way up to XVII — the him over several evenings. first of Markbreit’s Super Bowl assignments — he “My mother used to read my homework to followed a simple personal edict that was so me, read assignments to me and help me because instrumental in his body of work. she knew how tired I was,” Markbreit said. “But “Everything I did, I did to stay on top,” Markbreit she wanted me to play. She knew how much I said. “I just had the feel of the game. When I walked on enjoyed playing. I loved playing football.” the field, I knew that everything was going to be OK Markbreit’s coach at Hyde Park was a kindly and I was going to be able to handle the toughest mentor named Elliott Hasan. Without Hasan’s possible thing. I gave that feeling to the guys I worked support, Markbreit may never have graced the with and they returned it to me.”

REFEREE officiating profession. Of course, everyone must endure growing pains and “Elliott Hasan was also an official and he Markbreit was no exception. The very first NFL officiated high school games when he wasn’t assignment he had — as a line judge on Tunney’s crew Jerry Markbreit feels it is an obligation of successful officials to coaching,” Markbreit said. “He was also a Big 10 for a preseason game between Seattle and San Francisco pass along their knowledge to others. official. I admired him so much and he kind of on Aug. 1, 1976 — Markbreit made a splash for the took a liking to me.” wrong reason. “Bob McElwee is a Gold Whistle Award winner (in 2004). When Markbreit headed off to college, Hasan “He came running in, blowing his whistle and He was an official for 25 years and Bob McElwee and I were suggested he officiate intramural football. “He waving his hands and I said, ‘What have you got?’“ best friends, we talked about our games and little things that told me, ‘If you like it, when you come back Tunney said. “And he said, ‘Two minutes.’ would help his officiating and I gave him the things I felt home, I’ll take you to our local officials “‘Jerry,’ I said, ‘It’s a great signal, great mechanics could help him and he did the same for me. Never was there association and get you started on an officiating and everything, but we do the two-minute warning in a thought in my mind or his that he would make me better career. If you like it and you’re any good, you can the second quarter, not the first quarter.’“ than him. do it for most of your adult life.’ And I thought, For Markbreit, the example Tunney set would “It’s the payback. It’s the guy who has walked away from ‘Oh, boy.’” emerge countless times when he became a referee it or is still officiating who is constantly helping other “Well, I went down to Illinois and played himself. people, giving them information. People send me e-mails all freshman football and I got banged up so bad “Now, we have a lot of good referees, but Jerry the time, ‘You have a checklist on referees on the things that that I finally realized I was fooling myself. So I consistently — consistently — got rookies because the would make me better’ and I e-mail it right back to them. supervisor (either Art McNally or Jerry Seeman) knew That’s what you do. That’s how you perpetuate officiating — this guy was going to help officials. He just loved to by helping other people with the same kind of help that you help people,” Tunney said. got. By 1977, just his second year in the league, Markbreit “It’s not a selfish profession because you’re only there for made the improbable step to referee when the a little while. Once you’re gone, somebody else takes your retirement of Tommy Bell opened a position. NASO Member Benefits spot and I want that guy who took my spot to be great.” McNally remembers when the idea of promoting • $3,000,000 General Liability Insurance Protection After retiring following an NFC Divisional playoff game Markbreit was broached. “Two men on his crew, • Member Information and Consultation Program on Jan. 9, 1999, Markbreit has been able to continue making Tommy Kelleher and Fritz Graf, came to me and said, • $50,000 Unintentional Errors and Omissions an enormous impact on the officiating profession. It is there ‘Listen, why don’t you convert Jerry to a referee? He Insurance Coverage for everyone to see on any given Sunday afternoon every was a very good referee in the Big 10 and he’ll be fine • $5,000 Heart or Circulatory Malfunction autumn as the Markbreit protégés work their games. with us.’ Death Benefit Coverage “My real interaction with Jerry started when he retired “I said, ‘No way.’ I wasn’t anxious to make him a • Assault Protection Program and took over as a trainer,” said referee Tony Corrente, who referee. But both of those officials, real fine officials on • Assault Accident Medical Coverage has worked in the NFL since 1995. “Literally, you just cannot his crew, just literally hounded me. They finally got to • Optional Game Fee Loss Insurance ignore what the man says. You’ve just got to love a man the point where they convinced me he would be able to • Referee magazine who’s willing to take everything that he’s learned, all the do it. • It’s Official newsletter knowledge that he’s accumulated, and say, ‘Here, it’s open “So I said, ‘We’ll take a chance and make him a • NASO e-newsletter for you.’ It’s like the treasure chest that everybody’s after. LockerRoom referee.’ Well, they were right and I was wrong. Right • Annual sport quizzes He’s opened it for me. And he’s so gracious about it.” from the very beginning, he was just an outstanding What external forces interacted to make Markbreit the • Advocating on critical issues impacting sports officiating

COURTESY OF NFL FILMS referee.” • Discount to annual NASO Sports Officiating Summit towering presence he remains to this day? Let us take you Thirty years later, McNally can only look at that back to a third-floor apartment on 70th and Merrill on • Major buying discounts daring decision as one of the best he ever made. • Savings on personal services (credit cards, rental cars, Chicago’s south side in the early 1950s. It’s early evening “It’s a wonderful tribute to a great referee and an hotels and more) and an exhausted Markbreit has returned from football outstanding person,” said McNally, a fellow Gold • Relocation referral services practice at Hyde Park High School — he was an undersized Whistle recipient. “He’s the epitome of what the NFL • Personalized membership card center and guard. Jerry Markbreit, who worked 28 onfield playoff loves to have in its officials. assignments including four Super Bowls, is a “position • Marriott Athletic VIP card – Save up to 50% “I played against high school teams whose kids had “He’s just absolutely top drawer.” beards,” Markbreit said. “We got killed almost every game.” coach” for NFL referees. His counsel is helping current • NASO membership is tax deductible officials reach the heights he attained. Peter Jackel is a longtime sportswriter from Racine, Wis. ■ Join NASO Today! 30 REFEREE August 2007 www.referee.com www.naso.org 800-733-6100 AH07NARN