Walt Anderson (American football official)
Encyclopedia
Dr. Walt Anderson is an official
in the National Football League
(NFL) since the 1996 NFL season
. Anderson spent his first seven seasons in the NFL as a line judge before being promoted to referee for the start of the 2003 NFL season
after Dick Hantak
and Bob McElwee
announced their retirements. He is notable for officiating Super Bowl XXXV
. Anderson was also named as Referee for Super Bowl XLV
which was played on Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas, at Cowboys Stadium. He wears uniform number 66. Anderson's 2011 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Butch Hannah, head linesman Steve Stelljes, line judge Byron Boston
, field judge David Meslow, side judge James Coleman and back judge Billy Smith.
where his father was a high school
football head coach
. He played quarterback
for his father at Channelview. Later, he played football
for Sam Houston State University
, where he was a two-time Academic All-American and lettered four years. He graduated from Sam Houston State in 1974.
.
and received a Doctorate
of Dentistry from the University of Texas Dental Branch. He retired from dentistry in 2003 when he was promoted to referee in the NFL.
On April 26, 2006, Anderson was named Coordinator of Football Officials for the Big 12 Conference
, succeeding former NFL field judge Tim Millis in this position.
(Division II), Southland
(Division I-AA), and Southwest Athletic Conference
s (Division I). At the college level, Anderson was scouted by ex-NFL officials who were looking to fill openings at the professional football level.
in 2000 and Super Bowl XLV
in 2011. Anderson cites Super Bowl XXXV as being his most memorable game.
Official (American football)
In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game.During professional and college football games, seven officials operate on the field...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) since the 1996 NFL season
1996 NFL season
The 1996 NFL season was the 77th regular season of the National Football League and the season was marked by notable controversies from beginning to end...
. Anderson spent his first seven seasons in the NFL as a line judge before being promoted to referee for the start of the 2003 NFL season
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
after Dick Hantak
Dick Hantak
Dick Hantak was an American football official in the National Football League for 25 years between 1978 and 2003. He began his NFL officiating career as a back judge and became a referee eight years later...
and Bob McElwee
Bob McElwee
Robert T. "Bob" McElwee is a former American football official, who served for 41 years, with 27 of those years in the National Football League from 1976 to 2003...
announced their retirements. He is notable for officiating Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
. Anderson was also named as Referee for Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
which was played on Feb. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas, at Cowboys Stadium. He wears uniform number 66. Anderson's 2011 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Butch Hannah, head linesman Steve Stelljes, line judge Byron Boston
Byron Boston
Byron Boston is an American football official in the National Football League since the 1995 NFL season. He is a line judge and wears the uniform number 18...
, field judge David Meslow, side judge James Coleman and back judge Billy Smith.
Early life
Born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, Anderson was raised in Channelview, TexasChannelview, Texas
Channelview is a census-designated place in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and Harris County. The population was 29,685 at the 2000 census...
where his father was a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
football head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
. He played quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for his father at Channelview. Later, he played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
for Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first...
, where he was a two-time Academic All-American and lettered four years. He graduated from Sam Houston State in 1974.
Family
He is married to Afshan and they have one child (he and his wife each have two children from previous marriages). He currently resides in Sugar Land, TexasSugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and Fort Bend County. Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a...
.
Other professions
After completing his undergraduate studies at Sam Houston, he became a dentistDentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
and received a Doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
of Dentistry from the University of Texas Dental Branch. He retired from dentistry in 2003 when he was promoted to referee in the NFL.
On April 26, 2006, Anderson was named Coordinator of Football Officials for the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
, succeeding former NFL field judge Tim Millis in this position.
Early years
Wanting to stay active in football following college, Anderson decided to pursue a career in officiating. He began officiating junior high and little leagues, high school, then eventually college. In 11 years of college experience, he worked games in the Lone StarLone Star Conference
The Lone Star Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. Member institutions are located in the southwestern United States, with schools in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico...
(Division II), Southland
Southland Conference
The Southland Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the south central United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports; for football, it participates in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision...
(Division I-AA), and Southwest Athletic Conference
Southwest Athletic Conference
The Southwest Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States from 1914 to 1996. It consisted of schools mostly in the state of Texas and one in Arkansas, with historical members in Oklahoma....
s (Division I). At the college level, Anderson was scouted by ex-NFL officials who were looking to fill openings at the professional football level.
National Football League
Anderson joined the NFL in 1996 and since then he has worked playoff games in every year of eligibility, including five Wild Card, two Divisional, three Championship games, and two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXVSuper Bowl XXXV
Super Bowl XXXV was played on January 28, 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 2000 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Baltimore Ravens defeated the National Football Conference champion New York...
in 2000 and Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
in 2011. Anderson cites Super Bowl XXXV as being his most memorable game.