Bernie Kukar

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Bernie Kukar (86)

Bernie Kukar (born in Gilbert, Minnesota) was an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) for 22 seasons from the 1984 to the 2005 season.^[1] He wore the uniform number 86.

He was born and raised in Gilbert, Minnesota and later attended college at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota where he graduated in 1962. He played football at Saint John's under John Gagliardi, the all-time winningest coach in collegiate football history. Bernie played defensive back on defense and quarterback on offense, but was later moved to running back. He also returned punts and kicks.

He began his NFL officiating career in 1984 as a back judge and was promoted to referee seven years later at the start of the 1991 NFL season. His promotion to referee came after the retirement of the "Dean of Referees", Jim Tunney and the promotion of Jerry Seeman to the Director of Officiating in the NFL office. Prior to joining the NFL, he officiated four years at the high school level, and a total of 19 years at the college level with four years at Division III, 11 years at Division II, and four years in the Big Ten Conference (Division I).

Kukar was one of the most respected referees in the National Football League. He was selected to officiate in the Super Bowl twice, Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, and Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. He was also an alternate in Super Bowl XXX in 1996.

Bernie is best known among football fans for his pronouncation of the word "Down" and his illegal hands to the face hand signal. He is a favorite of Rich Eisen on the NFL Network.