Jack Reader
Encyclopedia
John Kenneth "Jack" Reader (born November 11, 1925 in Lawrence, Massachusetts
, died November 10, 2008 in Hingham, Massachusetts
) is a former American football official. After graduation from the College of the Holy Cross
in 1950, football star Jack Reader became an on-field official. In 1960, he joined the American Football League
and officiated its first game, between the Denver Broncos
and the Boston Patriots on September 9, 1960. He was one of only nine men who officiated in the AFL for its entire ten-year existence, 1960 through 1969. After the 1970 merger of the NFL with the AFL
, he continued working as a referee until he retired after the 1973 season and became an officiating supervisor in the NFL, retiring shortly before his death.
A 1996 inductee to the Central Catholic High of Lawrence Hall of Fame, Mr. Reader was part of some of the most historic moments of the American Football League.
Reader, who died of cancer only one day shy of his 83rd birthday on Nov. 10, 2008 in Hingham, Massachusetts
, was also a back judge at Super Bowl I
(1967) and III
(1969), when those games were the World Championships between the AFL and NFL champions. He was shown in an iconic image in the January 20, 1969 issue of Sports Illustrated, wearing number 42, with his arms raised signaling a New York Jets
touchdown by fullback Matt Snell
during the AFL champions' 16-7 win over the over-rated NFL champion Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
, died November 10, 2008 in Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham is a town in northern Plymouth County on the South Shore of the U.S. state of Massachusetts and suburb in Greater Boston. The United States Census Bureau 2008 estimated population was 22,561...
) is a former American football official. After graduation from the College of the Holy Cross
College of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
in 1950, football star Jack Reader became an on-field official. In 1960, he joined the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
and officiated its first game, between the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Boston Patriots on September 9, 1960. He was one of only nine men who officiated in the AFL for its entire ten-year existence, 1960 through 1969. After the 1970 merger of the NFL with the AFL
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
, he continued working as a referee until he retired after the 1973 season and became an officiating supervisor in the NFL, retiring shortly before his death.
A 1996 inductee to the Central Catholic High of Lawrence Hall of Fame, Mr. Reader was part of some of the most historic moments of the American Football League.
Reader, who died of cancer only one day shy of his 83rd birthday on Nov. 10, 2008 in Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham is a town in northern Plymouth County on the South Shore of the U.S. state of Massachusetts and suburb in Greater Boston. The United States Census Bureau 2008 estimated population was 22,561...
, was also a back judge at Super Bowl I
Super Bowl I
The First AFL-NFL World Championship Game in professional American football, later known as Super Bowl I and referred to in some contemporary reports as the Supergame, was played on January 15, 1967 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.The National Football League ...
(1967) and III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
(1969), when those games were the World Championships between the AFL and NFL champions. He was shown in an iconic image in the January 20, 1969 issue of Sports Illustrated, wearing number 42, with his arms raised signaling a New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
touchdown by fullback Matt Snell
Matt Snell
Matt Snell was the American Football League's New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin's first coup, prior to his 1965 acquisition of Joe Namath...
during the AFL champions' 16-7 win over the over-rated NFL champion Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.
See also
- American Football LeagueAmerican Football LeagueThe American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
- American Football League Officials
- List of American Football League players, coaches and contributors