Carl Cheffers is part of an exclusive club as he referees Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, Arizona. Let’s take a look back at Cheffers’ career and how he wound up being an NFL referee and going on to take charge of the biggest game in the sport.
Carl Cheffers Is a Career Official
Cheffers’ interest in officiating dates all the way back to his time at college. His father was an official for the Pac-10 conference, which is likely where Cheffers’ interest comes from. He began officiating high school sports as a 20-year-old in 1980. Cheffers would then follow in his father’s footsteps by officiating in the Pac-10 between 1995 and 2000. He would also officiate in the Western Athletic Conference during that stretch.
Having spent five years working in the NCAA, the NFL hired Cheffers. At the start of his NFL career, Cheffers worked as a side judge before being promoted to referee to start the 2008 season. As a referee, his first playoff game would come in the 2009 season, his second year in the role. During his 23-year career in the NFL, Cheffers has had 18 postseason assignments.
How Much Does an NFL Referee Make?
NFL referee salaries aren’t available publicly. The quoted salary for NFL officials is an average of $205,000 annually. However, that is the average across all officials and not just referees. Therefore, as the leaders of their respective crews, many referees’ salaries are likely higher than that quoted figure.
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It is also uncertain whether that salary includes playoff games. On average, NFL officials are quoted to make around $3,000 to $5,000 per playoff game. Meanwhile, one report suggests referees who work the Super Bowl can earn as much as $50,000 for the game.
Has Cheffers Ever Reffed a Super Bowl?
Super Bowl 57 is Cheffers’ third time as the referee of a Super Bowl. His previous Super Bowl experiences came in 2017 (SBLI) and 2021 (SBLV). He joins a club of six other referees to take charge of at least three Super Bowls. Only Jerry Markbreit has refereed more Super Bowls (four) than Cheffers.
Cheffers was also the alternative referee for Super Bowl XLIX. However, he did not end up taking to the field in that game. Therefore, it is not counted as another Super Bowl appearance for Cheffers.
What’s Cheffers’ Net Worth?
According to projections, Cheffers’ net worth is around $2 million. It is tough to calculate Cheffers’ net worth because we do not know his salary as an NFL official. Away from the NFL, Cheffers is a sales manager in his hometown of Whittier, California.
Did Cheffers Play Professional Football?
No, Cheffers did not play professional football before becoming an official. Cheffers began his career as an official during his time at college. At the age of 35, Cheffers became an NCAA official; the NFL hired him at the age of 40.