Garth DeFelice

Garth DeFelice was a National Football League (NFL) umpire from the 1998 NFL season until 2013. His uniform number was 53, and served in crews headed by Clete Blakeman from 2010-2013. [1] He has also worked under Mike Carey and Bill Leavy, under whom he officiated Super Bowl XL. On May 4, 2014, it was announced that DeFelice would not return to the field for the 2014 season as he will become of the regional supervisors for the officiating office.

Controversy

In 2010, DeFelice was involved in a controversy in a game between San Francisco and the San Diego Chargers. After a play, 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith and Chargers tight end Kris Wilson were fighting. When DeFelice went in an attempt to break it up, Smith pushed DeFelice out of the way and was ejected per NFL rules regarding contact with an official.[2][3]

References

  1. "2012 Crews". NFL and NCAA Referees. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  2. "Justin Smith Ejection Video: Referee Garth DeFelice Overreacting...Again". Niners Nation. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  3. Sando, Mike. "NFC West Penalty Watch: Ejection notes". NFC West Blog - ESPN. Retrieved 6 October 2012.