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By Niles Garrison, Staff Writer

In honor of Black History Month, members of the Maroon Tiger want to highlight this prominent alumni of Morehouse College. Morehouse is home to names such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Edwin C Moses, and John David Washington.

Though, we have yet to honor a former Morehouse quarterback that has become very prominent in the National Football League. Today, we highlight one of the biggest referees in NFL history in Jerome Boger.

Boger, class of 1977, is a veteran NFL referee who has been refereeing for 18 years and has done over 300 games. Boger’s journey to becoming an NFL official began in 1996 when he was hired as a back judge. He worked his way up the ranks and was eventually promoted to the third African American referee in 2006.

Throughout his career, Boger has been known for his strong leadership skills, clear and concise communication and his ability to make tough decisions in high-pressure situations. Boger has officiated many big games in his career including Super Bowl 47, between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers.

His biggest achievement came on Nov. 23, 2020, when he led the NFL’s first all-black officiating crew for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams game.

Boger is also known for his commitment to promoting diversity and equality in the NFL. He’s been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the league and has worked to create opportunities for underrepresented communities in the sport. He has been a vocal supporter of the NFL’s “Rooney Rule,” which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and general manager positions.

Boger has made a significant impact on the NFL and has become one of the most respected and influential officials in the league. His leadership and communication skills are valuable, but his dedication to promoting diversity and equality in the NFL is what makes Boger influential and a role model for members of the NFL referee’s association and the entire NFL organization.

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