Doug Martin and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened up their season against the division rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon, and it turned out to be a bit of a reunion for the team’s star running back.
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When Martin stepped out onto the field, he saw a familiar face in referee Pete Morelli.
Martin gave Morelli a huge hug, and we learned that Morelli was actually Martin’s high school principal at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, Calif.
How cool is that?
Here is the moment that Martin and Morelli shared on the field before kickoff between the Buccaneers and Panthers:
Morelli is in his 12th year as a NFL referee, with an officiating crew that includes umpire Darrell Jenkins, head linesman Dana McKenzie, line judge Carl Johnson, field judge Buddy Horton, side judge Rob Vernatchi and back judge Dale Shaw. He served as a field judge for Super Bowl XXXVI.
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