Monday Night Football to make NFL history with first all Black officiating crew

History will be made at Raymond James Stadium. 

When Monday Night Football begins, two teams will kickoff for standing status in the NFC. Play after play, whistle after whistle, the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be dueling it out for a victory to close out Week 11.

Perhaps the greatest moment of the night won’t come from a play or a player. Actually, it could be coming by those making the calls.

Monday will mark the first time in NFL history that an all Black officiating crew will be working together. ESPN’s Lisa Salters captured the moment with a picture, giving high praise to the individuals making history on a game with huge implications for the future of the 2020 NFL season.

A special moment for all involved

Jerome Boger, a 17-year NFL official, will get the call as the game’s crew chief down in Raymond James Stadium. Rounding out the crew are Barry Anderson (umpire), Anthony Jeffries (side judge), Carl Johnson (line judge), Julian Mapp (down judge), Dale Shaw (field judge) and Greg Steed (back judge).

“This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of Black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game,” Troy Vincent, the NFL’s league’s executive vice president of football operations, said in a statement.

In 1965, Burl Tolver became the first league black official. In 1988, Johnny Grier became the league’s first black referee. As pioneers for those hoping to make the right call any given game, their mission of making sure all are included has reached the pinnacle when kickoff begins.

Here’s to a sign of progress in sports we won’t soon forget.