February 9, 2026

Ferris State grad and Super Bowl referee Shawn Smith earns praise for being ‘in command’ while officiating champion game

Ferris State University grad Shawn Smith is earning solid marks for his job as head official of Sunday’s Super Bowl LX, with analysts saying he was “in command” of the championship game.

Smith, a 1994 Ferris State graduate, was the lead official for the game. As the referee – wearing the white cap – he was in the spotlight making calls and appearing on camera before an estimated worldwide audience of 125 million viewers across platforms.

“The crew showed up for this game and stayed on the outside (hardly seen in the first half) and was present when needed,” wrote Ben Austro, founder and editor-in-chief of the Football Zebras website, which covers NFL officiating in depth.

“The crew has every reason to feel they earned this assignment and their Super Bowl rings. Shawn Smith was in command for his first Super Bowl; it shouldn't be long before he returns.”

Mark Schultz, the website’s senior editor, noted the game, won by the Seattle Seahawks 29-13, didn’t feature any calls that will “go down in officiating lore. That said, Shawn Smith and his crew called a good game.

“I could tell Smith was nervous coming to the coin toss. But he kept his emotions in check and got the game started off on the right foot,” Schultz wrote.

Both analysts had some minor criticisms, noting a potential pass interference against the New England Patriots that officials passed on. Then late in the fourth quarter, when the outcome was never in doubt, there was skirmish with some punches being thrown but no ejections.

“The bottom line is that the officials had absolutely no influence on the outcome of this game,” Schultz wrote. “There was a tense moment or two during the game, but Smith and crew kept a lid on the game and everybody got out of there safe and in good order. Congratulations to the Smith crew and their very fine job in officiating Super Bowl LX.”

Smith is in his 11th season as an NFL official and 8th as referee, the role that manages the entire officiating crew, announces the penalties, and is the final authority on rulings.

Smith was the alternate referee for Super Bowls LV and LVIII, but the 2026 game will be his first on-field appearance at the championship. The Super Bowl last year set a viewership record with nearly 130 million viewers – the most-watched television program of 2025.

“I’m humbled, but very excited by this opportunity,” he said before the game. “So many people built the foundation for this to happen. A lot of folks created opportunities for me. I’m excited for the people at Ferris State, and the high school folks, and all the people who helped me along the way.”

Smith got his start officiating Pop Warner games in junior high school and also officiated flag football at Eastern Michigan University.

The Detroit-area native was recruited to run track and play football at EMU before transferring to Ferris State.

While at Ferris State, he began to officiate high school football and skipped over Division III college football straight to Division II. He was hired by the NFL in 2015.