Jimmy Debell

Who is Jimmy Debell?

James "Jimmy" DeBell is an American football official in the National Football League, who wears uniform number 58. Jimmy DeBell made his debut in the NFL as a side judge on the crew of Alberto Riveron in 2009. He started his career officiating high school football in upstate NY and then eventually moved on to college football. His first NFL game that he refereed was in Tampa Bay, Florida where the Dallas Cowboys played against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He refereed 17 games his first NFL football season.

He officiated in the Conference USA and the Big East before joining the NFL. He as well refereed in Ivy League and Atlantic 10 as well as Arena Football League and NFL Europe. He officiated the Emerald Bowl in December 2004. His first NFL Playoff appearance was in the 2010-2011 NFC Divisional round between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks. In 2011 he was awarded the Outstanding Football Official Award by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Outside of the NFL, DeBell is a Physical Education teacher at Dansville High School where he also coaches golf and is the assistant women's basketball coach.