Football <\/p>\n
Former NFL official Bill Leavy, who spent 20 years in the league as a\u00a0back judge and referee, died on Tuesday, according to Football Zebras<\/a>. He was 76.<\/p>\n Leavy retired following the 2014 season, taking a supervisory position with the NFL\u2019s officiating department. He remained in that role until his death.<\/p>\n \u201cBill was one of the great men in our profession and was liked by everyone and respected by every coach,\u201d former NFL umpire Bill Wilson told Football Zebras. \u201cHe will be sorely missed.\u201d<\/p>\n Leavy had been officiating Big West games when he was tapped to join the NFL in 1995 after the league added the\u00a0Panthers<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Jaguars<\/a><\/span>\u00a0as expansion teams. He previously worked as a police officer, firefighter and an agent for the Secret Service.<\/p>\n Leavy officiated two Super Bowls, most notably Super XL between the\u00a0Steelers<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0Seahawks<\/a><\/span>. The officiating crew was met with criticism afterward, and Leavy subsequently apologized for mistakes<\/a> he made during the game.<\/p>\n Throughout his career, Leavy was revered by his peers. After receiving the Art McNally Award in 2019 for demonstrating \u201cexemplary\u00a0professionalism, leadership, and commitment to sportsmanship,\u201d referee\u00a0Clete Blakeman offered glowing praise of Leavy, who was his mentor: \u201cThe man is irreplaceable in the world of football officiating.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n