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Bloomington-Normal Native Reflects on Refereeing Super Bowls
Doug Rosenbaum, a 1975 Normal Community High School graduate, has officiated two Super Bowls during his 16-season NFL career.
Feb. 8, 2026 at 6:55am
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Doug Rosenbaum, a longtime NFL referee from Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, has officiated two Super Bowls during his 16-season career - the 2011 and 2017 games. Rosenbaum, who is now an advisor and coordinator coach for the NFL, reflects on the experience of being on the field for some of the biggest moments in Super Bowl history, including the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history in 2017 between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots.
Why it matters
Rosenbaum's story highlights the journey and dedication required to reach the pinnacle of officiating in the NFL, as well as the unique perspective and experiences of the officials who are responsible for maintaining order and fairness on the field during the Super Bowl, one of the most-watched sporting events in the world.
The details
Rosenbaum began his officiating career at the high school level in Central Illinois before working his way up to the college ranks, the Canadian Football League, and eventually the NFL. Over his 16 seasons in the NFL, he officiated around 250 games, including two Super Bowls - the 2011 game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 2017 game between the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, which was decided in overtime and featured the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.
- Rosenbaum officiated the Super Bowl in 2011 and 2017.
- Rosenbaum is now 68 years old and recently returned from helping to train future NFL officials at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
The players
Doug Rosenbaum
A 1975 graduate of Normal Community High School in Illinois, Rosenbaum has spent the last 25 years as an NFL referee, including officiating two Super Bowls.
Tom Brady
The star quarterback for the New England Patriots, who led the team to a historic comeback victory in the 2017 Super Bowl that Rosenbaum officiated.
Atlanta Falcons
The team that held a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter of the 2017 Super Bowl before the New England Patriots mounted their historic comeback.
What they’re saying
“An unbelievable day.”
— Doug Rosenbaum, NFL Referee
“If you don't have that kind of nervousness and anxiety at the beginning of such an event, I don't think you're human.”
— Doug Rosenbaum, NFL Referee
“If you don't get emotional in that atmosphere, on that field, before that game, you're probably not human either. It brought tears to my eyes.”
— Doug Rosenbaum, NFL Referee
What’s next
Rosenbaum plans to continue his work as an advisor and coordinator coach for the NFL, helping to train the next generation of officials.
The takeaway
Rosenbaum's journey from a high school sports standout in Bloomington-Normal to officiating two of the most memorable Super Bowls in history underscores the dedication and skill required to reach the pinnacle of NFL officiating, as well as the unique perspective officials have on some of the biggest moments in the sport.
