Merriam-Webster Dictionary: First, noun. Something that is first: such as, the first occurrence or item of a kind.
Welcome to all the “Comments” new subscribers. I hope you’re enjoying your reading experience here. Always feel free to reach out to me, comment on the posts, share and of course recommend us to others. Check out the Archives link at the end of this post to explore older articles.
While we normally are a baseball blog, today I felt we had to cover a football “first”. When the San Francisco 49ers take the field in Las Vegas, Nevada at Allegiant Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 11th in Super Bowl LVIII (58) a former player will be an official on the field. It’s a special moment in sports for sure.
Terry Killens will be the first person to have played in and now officiate a Super Bowl game. Killens was a linebacker for the Houston Oilers which became the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in a sub role for the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV (34) against the then Saint Louis Rams back in January of 2000. He made one tackle. He will be on this year’s officiating team as the umpire, wearing number 77.
(Photo of Terry Killens. Found on the internet. Assuming Public Domain.)
After a seven-year playing career, primarily with Oilers / Titans (1996 – 2000), San Fransisco (2001 – 2002) and ending with the Seatle Seahawks (2002) he posted 31 career tackles and 1 sack. Killens eventually pursued a career in officiating. He worked in the American Athletic Conference as well as the Alliance of American Football. His first year in the NFL was 2019. After finishing his fifth year he was named to this year’s crew.
If you want to scope Killens out. The umpire is positioned primarily in the offensive backfield opposite the referee (his positioning is different on Field Goal and Extra-Point Attempts). He is responsible for looking for holds and illegal blocks, counting the number of offensive players and watching for false starts. You will see him retrieve the football from the pileups as well.
Normally officials should be “invisible” as far as the game goes but be sure to try and catch a glimpse of Killens as he will be a part of history and no doubt a trivia question for years to come. Congratulations on reaching the pinnacle game of the season so early in your second career sir and best of everything in your future.
While I will watch the Super Bowl, I really have no rooting interest. I’m hoping for a good game and entertaining commercials. I will not be watching the pre-game festivities (please don’t jack up The National Anthem, just sing it with respect, don’t “perform” it) nor “half-time” show as they have become way overdone and over-hyped in my humble opinion.
Good news, today, January 31st is the last day of the last month without baseball until November!
~ Coach Mike
Please feel free to share this post and site with your family, friends and 50 complete strangers if you like.
Link to: Achieves Page
Link to: About Page
Follow on Twitter: @CommentsFromCo9
This is such a great story🤗 It’s incredible how you uncover this great information ‼️ Love it 💯 I’m sorry you don’t enjoy the hype of half time but it’s Usher🤷🏻♀️ Commercials can be entertaining and I agree just sing the National Anthem with the respect it deserves 🇺🇸 Go Niner’s🏈
Congratulations on Terry Killens on his new career! Loved your story!
However, come on BASEBALL! We're ready!