Cal Lepore

Who is Cal Lepore?

Cal Lepore was a line judge and referee in American Professional Football. He officiated in the American Football League from 1966 through 1969, and then in the NFL from 1970 through 1980. He worked the Third AFL-NFL Championship game, won by the New York Jets over the Baltimore Colts, after the 1968 season. He also officiated in Super Bowl 12, and as Replay Official in Super Bowl 26. After retiring, he was the supervisor of officials in the USFL, and later the World League of American Football, later named NFL Europe.

Lepore is credited with promulgating the use of instant replay as an officiating tool, as well as urging the use of coaches' challenges in Professional Football. The NFL adopted nearly all of the components of the Replay Rule he authored and first administered in mid 1980's in the USFL.

Referee Magazine has considered him one of the most influential officials in the history of sports. Referee Magazine, November 2007: http://www.fox40world.com/site/fox40/assets/pdf/They_Made_Officiating.pdf