Burl Toler

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Burl Toler was an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) for 24 seasons from 1965 to 1989. He served as a field judge and head linesman throughout his career and is most notable for being the first African-American official in the NFL ^[1]. Toler officiated in one Super Bowl, Super Bowl XIV in 1980 and wore the uniform number 37.

Toler attended the University of San Francisco and played football for the school as a linebacker. He was a member of the 1951 undefeated football team of which three of his teammates would later be enshired into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after successful careers in the NFL—Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, and Bob St. Clair ^[2].

Toler seriously injured his knee during a college all-star game that ended his football playing career, so he decided to become an official instead. After retiring as a NFL official in 1990, he served as a game observer for the league, which involved grading officials, for eight years.

He has a grandson, Burl Toler III, is an American football wide receiver. He was signed by the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League on October 17th ^[3].

[edit] Memorable Games

Toler was the head linesman for the 1982 AFC Championship Game between the San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. The game was played under the coldest wind chill temperature in NFL history. Air temperature was -9°F (-23°C), but the wind chill was -59°F (-51°C). The game would later become known in NFL lore as the "Freezer Bowl".

[edit] References

1. ^ African-Americans in Pro Football. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
2. ^ Adams, Bruce (2006-08-19). Cal player's famous family visits camp. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on August 31, 2006.
3. ^ Local Product Toler And Saintil Agree To Terms. San Jose Sabercats. Retrieved on October 28, 2006.