The NFL has announced its officiating crew for Super Bowl LIX, scheduled for February 9th in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome. Leading the team will be veteran referee Ron Torbert, who also officiated Super Bowl LVI, where the Los Angeles Rams triumphed over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Among Torbert's crew, only side judge Boris Cheek has prior Super Bowl officiating experience. However, umpire Mike Morton brings a unique perspective, having played in Super Bowl XXXIV as a member of the St. Louis Rams. This marks a historic moment, as Morton will be the first person to both play and officiate in a Super Bowl, according to Football Zebras. The remaining crew members include down judge Max Causey, line judge Mark Stewart, field judge Mearl Robinson, back judge Jonah Monroe, and replay official Kevin Brown.

Interestingly, both Morton and Causey are relatively new to officiating, with only three seasons under their belts. Super Bowl assignments typically go to officials with five or more years of experience. Torbert, on the other hand, has been officiating NFL games since 2010, starting as a back judge before becoming a referee in 2014.

Data from Pro Football Reference indicates that during the 2024 season, Torbert averaged slightly over one penalty (1.03) per game, resulting in an average of 11.40 penalty yards.

The teams Torbert and his crew will officiate will be determined this weekend. The NFC Championship game between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles will decide one participant. These teams split their regular season series, with the Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, securing a victory at home. The AFC Championship game will feature a highly anticipated rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium. While the Bills won their regular season encounter, the Chiefs have historically held the advantage in postseason matchups at home.