Andrew Pace
Eugene Joseph Steratore, born on February 8, 1963, is a former American football official in the National Football League (NFL) and a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball referee. Steratore officiated in the NFL from 2003 until his retirement in June 2018. During his time in the NFL, he also officiated approximately 80 NCAA men's basketball games. Since his retirement, Steratore has served as a rules analyst for CBS Sports, providing insights on officiating decisions and the human element in sports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eugene Joseph Steratore |
| Date of Birth | February 8, 1963 |
| Occupation | Former NFL and NCAA referee; Current rules analyst for CBS Sports |
| Referee Career | 1997-2018 (NCAA); 2003-2018 (NFL) |
| Referee Uniform Number | 114 |
| Notable Games | Super Bowl XLIV (Alternate Referee); Super Bowl LII (Referee); NFC Championship Game 2014; NFC Divisional Playoff Game 2015 |
| Known For | Calm demeanor, fairness, expertise; Managing high-stakes games; "Calvin Johnson Rule" |
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What You'll Learn
Gene Steratore's career as an NFL referee
Eugene Joseph Steratore, born on February 8, 1963, is a former American football official in the National Football League (NFL). Steratore's career in the NFL spanned 15 years, from 2003 until his retirement in June 2018. He wore uniform number 114.
Steratore entered the NFL as a field judge and was promoted to referee at the start of the 2006 season, following the retirements of Bernie Kukar and Tom White. He was one of two new referees for that season, the other being Jerome Boger. Steratore's first experience as an NFL referee came on December 28, 2003, when he took over briefly during a regular-season game between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants after Bernie Kukar, the crew chief, was injured.
Throughout his career, Steratore officiated in several notable NFL games. He worked his first NFL playoff game as a referee on January 10, 2009, between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. He also refereed the Baltimore Ravens' victory over the New England Patriots in an American Football Conference (AFC) Wild Card game on January 10, 2010. Steratore was involved in a controversial instant replay call during week 1 of the 2010 NFL season between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, in which he overturned a touchdown catch by Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, ruling it as an incomplete pass. This incident led to the creation of the "Calvin Johnson rule".
Steratore was chosen as the referee for Super Bowl LII, played on February 4, 2018, which would be his last game officiating. He had previously served as the alternate referee for Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. In addition to his NFL duties, Steratore also officiated NCAA Division I men's basketball games, a rare feat among NFL referees. He officiated about 80 NCAA basketball games during the NFL season, showcasing his dedication and passion for officiating across sports.
Following his retirement from officiating, Steratore transitioned to a role as a rules analyst for CBS Sports, providing insights and expertise for viewers. His extensive experience in officiating has undoubtedly contributed to his analytical career, allowing him to offer valuable perspectives on game dynamics and rules interpretations.
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Steratore's work as an NCAA referee
Eugene Joseph Steratore, born on February 8, 1963, is a former American football official in the National Football League (NFL) from 2003 until his retirement from the NFL in June 2018. Steratore also officiated as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball referee from 1997 to 2018.
Steratore's NCAA officiating career began in 1997, and he quickly became known for his skill and dedication to the role. He was one of the few active NFL referees who also officiated NCAA Division I men's basketball games, which made him something of an ""officiating oddity." Steratore took pride in his ability to manage stress and pressure that came with officiating high-level sports, including dealing with screaming coaches and controversial calls.
One of Steratore's notable NCAA games was a men's basketball game between Loyola (Md.) and Niagara. He made a critical call in Niagara's favor, which brought Loyola's coach, Jimmy Patsos, down the sideline. However, instead of protesting the call, Patsos simply wanted to chat about the Dolphins' unsuccessful season. This anecdote showcases the human side of Steratore's officiating career and how he navigated interactions with coaches and staff.
In addition to his busy schedule, Steratore also faced challenges due to the different rules and regulations between the NFL and NCAA. He had to be adept at quickly switching between the two sets of rules, and neither the NFL nor the NCAA appreciated him refereeing for the other organization. Despite these challenges, Steratore excelled at officiating at the highest level and was respected for his knowledge and expertise. CBS rules analyst and former NFL and NCAA referee talks to The Oracle staff.
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Steratore's defence of controversial calls
Eugene Joseph Steratore, born on February 8, 1963, is a former American football official in the National Football League (NFL) and a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball referee. Since his retirement from the NFL in June 2018, Steratore has served as a rules analyst for CBS Sports, including the NFL, college football, college basketball, and March Madness.
Steratore has been involved in several controversial calls during his career, including a controversial instant replay call during week 1 of the 2010 NFL season between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. Late in the fourth quarter, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson caught what was initially ruled as the winning touchdown. However, after conferring with the officials, Steratore overturned the call, ruling it an incomplete pass as Johnson had lost control of the ball. This ruling was supported by the NFL and its former vice president of officiating, Mike Pereira, and the rule has since been referred to as the "Calvin Johnson rule".
Another controversial incident occurred during a game between the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders in December 2017. Steratore employed an index card to assist in determining whether the Cowboys had made the line to gain for a first down, which allowed them to kick a late field goal and win the game. This use of the index card was seen as unconventional and sparked debate among fans and commentators.
In defence of his controversial calls, Steratore has stated that officiating games in front of millions of people requires knowing that the goal is to do the right thing for the game, even if one's decisions are not always appreciated or understood. He acknowledges that human error is inevitable but emphasises the importance of having the strength of mind to handle the scrutiny and pressure that comes with officiating at the highest level.
As a CBS rules analyst, Steratore has continued to find himself in the middle of controversial calls. During the 2019 Final Four post-game show, he defended a missed double-dribble call, stating that the refs made the right call. Additionally, during a 2024 NFL game between the Steelers and Eagles, Steratore explained a controversial unnecessary roughness penalty on Steelers tight end Darnell Washington, stating that the officials were focused on protecting the vulnerable long snappers.
While Steratore has been praised for his thorough explanations and ability to analyse situations, some viewers have criticised him for being too quick to justify referees' calls and for defending every call, even when they appear inconsistent.
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Steratore's retirement and transition to broadcasting
Eugene Joseph Steratore, born on February 8, 1963, is a former American football official in the National Football League (NFL) and a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball referee. His retirement from the NFL was announced on June 22, 2018, by the circuit's Senior Vice President of Officiating, Alberto Riveron. Steratore's last game as an official was Super Bowl LII, which was played on February 4, 2018.
Following his retirement, Steratore transitioned to broadcasting and was hired by CBS Sports as a rules analyst for the NFL and college basketball. He has been tasked with breaking down complex football rules and providing instant replay analysis during broadcasts. Steratore's deep knowledge and experience in officiating both football and basketball have made his insights indispensable to viewers and broadcasters alike.
Steratore's broadcasting career began with CBS, where he quickly found a role as a rules analyst, leveraging his expertise as an NFL and NCAA referee. His initial role at CBS marked his entry into television, and he has since become an integral part of their sports team, regularly appearing during NFL game broadcasts. Steratore's future in broadcasting looks promising, with potential expansion into hosting segments or specials dedicated to explaining football and basketball rules.
Steratore's transition from officiating to broadcasting has been seamless, and he has become a pivotal figure in sports broadcasting. His ability to handle the stress and scrutiny of officiating at the highest level has translated well into his new career, where he provides clarity and insight to viewers. Steratore's experience as an official has been invaluable to his broadcasting career, allowing him to navigate the complexities of high-profile sporting events and provide valuable analysis and commentary.
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Steratore's reflections on officiating challenges
Gene Steratore is a former American football official in the National Football League (NFL) and a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball referee. Steratore has opened up about the challenges of officiating, reflecting on his time in the NFL and NCAA and the intense scrutiny the league has for its officials.
Steratore acknowledges that officiating games in front of millions of people every night brings immense pressure. He understands that even a minor human error can lead to severe criticism and ridicule. This reality helped him develop mental fortitude and a strong sense of purpose, knowing that his goal is to do the right thing for the game, regardless of whether his efforts are appreciated.
One of the significant challenges Steratore faced was managing the stress caused by coaches' vehement disagreements with his calls. He describes this as "an amazing practice in self-control," requiring the art of diffusing highly heated situations. Steratore also highlights the misconception that NFL officials simply show up, officiate, and leave without any further involvement or preparation. In reality, officiating is a demanding profession that extends beyond game days, encompassing roughly 30-hour workweeks that include reviewing previous games and navigating the NFL's referee grading system.
Steratore also discusses the challenge of striving for perfection while accepting the inevitability of human fallibility. He emphasizes the importance of humility in acknowledging mistakes and the valuable lessons they offer for self-improvement. Steratore's reflections provide insight into the mental toughness, resilience, and dedication required to excel in officiating roles at the highest level.
Since his retirement from officiating, Steratore has transitioned to broadcasting, serving as a rules analyst for CBS Sports, where he offers valuable insights into officiating decisions and the human element in sports.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Gene Steratore officiated NCAA Division I men's basketball games. On top of his NFL workload, Steratore also refereed about 80 NCAA men's basketball games during the NFL season.
Gene Steratore retired from the NFL in June 2018. He worked as an NCAA Division I men's basketball referee from 1997 until 2018.
After retiring from officiating, Steratore was hired by CBS as a rules analyst. He provides insights on officiating decisions and the human element in sports.
