Johnny Grier
Johnny Grier | |
---|---|
Born | official (1981–2004) | April 16, 1947
Spouse | Divorced |
Children | Lowell Grier |
Parent | Deceased |
Johnny Grier (April 16, 1947 – March 8, 2022) was an
Grier attended college at the University of the District of Columbia.[1]
Grier began officiating football at age 18 and started as a [Dunbar High School] football official in 1965, later moved on to college football in 1972, and eventually the NFL in 1981. In 1989, a year after becoming a referee, he oversaw the head coaching debut of Art Shell, the first black NFL head coach in the NFL's modern era.[2]
Grier served as an officiating supervisor for the NFL and previously as Supervisor of Football Officials for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). His career ended abruptly during the 2004 NFL season when he was forced to retire due to a leg injury suffered during a series of games. He was replaced by the back judge on his crew, Scott Green, who had previous experience as a referee in NFL Europe. He later served as an officiating supervisor for the NFL and previously as Supervisor of Football Officials for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). After leaving the NFL as a Supervisor of Football Officials, he was hired as a PAC 12 Supervisor, where he later retired.
Grier died in Pasadena, Maryland, on March 8, 2022, at the age of 74.[3]
References
- ^ "African-Americans in Pro Football". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 3, 2006.
- ^ Shell, Art (January 28, 2007). "A Sideline to History". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 12, 2022.