NFL Hall of Famer Art McNally has passed away. The former NFL referee has died at the age of 97. He is the only official currently inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Arter’s son, Tom McNally, shared the news that his father passed away today of natural causes, according to TMZ Sports.
McNally was born in Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1959, he spent nine seasons in the NFL as a field umpire and referee. In 1968, McNally was promoted. He became the NFL’s director of officiating that year.
He held this role until he left football in 1990. He would eventually return to the NFL in 1996, when he joined the NFL as an assistant director of officials, a position he held until 2007.
2008, legend referee After more than a decade as an assistant supervisor, he transitioned into the role of observation and training officer.
Art McNally won’t be enshrined until 2022, when he finally enters Hall of Fame. He was admitted in the summer.
Roger Goodell mourns the loss of Art McNally
Roger GoodellArt McNally, who served as NFL commissioner a year before he stepped down as assistant commissioner, mourned the icon and his former colleague on Monday:
“Art McNally was an extraordinary man, a paragon of integrity and class. During his illustrious refereeing career, he won the eternal respect of the entire football world. Fittingly, he was the first Game official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But more importantly, he’s a Hall of Famer in every way.”
Goodale added that his thoughts and prayers are with the McNally family, which includes his wife, his three children and many grandchildren.
It’s likely that next week’s NFL game, the final week of the regular season, will honor the late McNally and his family, as the entire NFL world lost a very important figure on Monday.
