UP CLOSE: Johnson shares Super Bowl officiating experience

The Saints didn’t advance to the Super Bowl, but that didn’t stop area pigskin fans from cheering on Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, an Assumption High School graduate who earned the right to play in the NFL’s biggest game.

However, Jacobs wasn’t the only local who participated in the event.

Thibodaux resident Carl Johnson worked the gridiron as a referee in New York’s 17-14 upset over the previously undefeated New England Patriots.

The Sports Net caught up with Johnson to discuss his experience in the nation’s biggest sporting spectacle.

Sports Net: How did you find out that you were selected to officiate the Super Bowl?

Carl Johnson: I found out the Tuesday after the AFC and NFC Championship games. Prior to that, we had no knowledge because the NFL hadn’t leaked any information.

SN: How do league officials base their choices?

CJ: Several criteria go into the selection. You must have five years of experience in the league, have worked at least three playoff games in those five seasons and, from that point, you are graded in each position on plays. The referees with the highest percentage of accuracy are selected for playoff games and the Super Bowl.

SN: And obviously, you were ranked high.

CJ: The league ranks us on correct calls, one through 17 by position. I got a phone call from our supervisor of NFL officials, Mike Pereira. He called the Tuesday morning following the championship games, said I had a terrific year and graded me No. 1 in my position.

I knew I had a shot at being graded highly, but wasn’t sure if I would be No. 1. But I worked the Indianapolis-San Diego game two weeks before, so I at least knew I was in the hunt.

SN: What was your immediate reaction?

CJ: Immediate reaction was gratification – a real sense of accomplishment. Referees want to work playoff games and the Super Bowl, just like the teams do.

SN: Were you feeling pressure? Officiating a Super Bowl can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the calls you end up making?

CJ: Not really pressure. It is an intensive business, but we are professionals and this is why we do what we do. This is what we work for and strive for. Officials are measured by Super Bowls and playoff games.

SN: What was it like walking onto the field right before the game? Describe the energy.

CJ: Of course it was a historic game. You had an undefeated team looking for perfection, another team making a hot run down the stretch and then the officiating crew, which was the first to have three African Americans working in the Super Bowl. And walking on the field, it was just electric. It was my first Super Bowl, so it was all surreal to me.

SN: Were the butterflies in your stomach working overtime?

CJ: They were under control because we had a very thorough pregame session with Mike Carey, the head referee.

SN: So let’s get a self-critique. How would you rate your performance?

CJ: I based it on what my supervisor told us. He gave the entire crew all A-pluses, and we all felt good coming off the field.

SN: Were you surprised by the outcome of the game?

CJ: No. I’ve been in the NFL for several years, and from what I’ve seen, nothing surprises me anymore. That’s why they play the games. Anything can happen on any given Sunday.

SN: Were any family members able to attend the game?

CJ: My wife Cynthia, and my son, Carl Jr., who is 13.

SN: Your son had to be particularly excited.

CJ: He had a blast. He was more thrilled than I was. I tried to make him realize that I didn’t go to a Super Bowl until I was 40, and that was as a fan. That was when I won a trip through my job. So, I told him that he was very fortunate to attend the game at 13.

SN: How many years have you worked as a professional football zebra?

CJ: This was my seventh year.

SN: Where did you officiate before that?

CJ:I worked the Big 12 Conference for five seasons and prior to that the Southland Conference for two seasons. During that time in the Big 12, I worked two years of NFL Europe and two years of indoor football.

SN: Through this time, what have you come to learn about the game that you didn’t know as a spectator?

CJ: I didn’t realize the game had as many rules – that was the first thing. I knew offsides, clipping and things like that, but learned about things like spot fouls and loss-of-down penalties – penalty enforcements. But the main thing I learned was just how good the athletes are as you move up levels – their speed, size, talent and just how good the coaching gets.

SN: Is there a specific memory from the Super Bowl that will be engraved in your memory forever?

CJ: There are so many things, but maybe walking around the field prior to the game and seeing my wife and son waving to me from 20 rows up. I’ll never forget that.

SN: What’s the next mountain? Officiating a Super Bowl is surely the pinnacle of a ref’s career, but is there anything else you’d like to achieve?

CJ: There are hopefully other Super Bowls down the line, but now, maybe I could pursue becoming a crew chief.

SN: Think you have what it takes?

CJ: I like to think I do. It would take a lot of hard work, practice and help from other officials. But if I have the time, I’d like to think I can accomplish that. If it doesn’t happen though, I am still happy being a line judge in the NFL.

Photo contributed by Carl Johnson Thibodaux resident Carl Johnson hopes to officiate a few more Super Bowls before he finally retires his whistle.