REPORT: Popular NFL Referee Tragically Passes Away

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.

Hamer, who served as a ref before transitioning to the role of a replay official, is reported to have died on Friday.

The former veteran ref began his NFL career in 1978 and would be involved in over 400 games. He also worked 20 playoff games and two Super Bowls.

Hamer started as a head linesman before being promoted to head referee in 1989 after Fred Silva retired. He stepped away from football in 1995 due to a heart condition that required a risky operation, but was able to return the following year.

The California native reverted to the head linesman position in 1998, retiring from on-field work in 2001, though he stuck around as a replay official.

Long-time NFL game official Dale Hamer dies at 87. https://t.co/R8NTADvGK9

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 2, 2024

Dale Hamer Was Involved In One Of The NFL’s Most Notable Fights

One of the more notable moments of Dale Hamer’s career occurred during a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New Orleans Saints in the 1992 playoffs.

He and another official rushed into a fight between the teams after the Eagles downed a punt in the end zone and came away worse for wear as he emerged from the melee missing his cap and with scratches on his face.

“Well, at least he went in with a cap, and he got the cap knocked off,” John Madden, who was calling the game, famously joked. “There’s no penalty on the play and the referee got two cuts. We’ve never had too many officials on the All-Madden Team, Pat, but we’re looking — this Hamer guy, I don’t know. Not a bad look.”

Hamer was able to finish the game and was even on hand to serve as an alternate referee in the Super Bowl later that month.

TPS offers commiserations to Hamer’s family, friends, and loved ones.

R.I.P. Dale Hamer – 1937-2024