BIG RAPIDS — Shawn Smith, a 1994 Ferris State University graduate, earned high marks for his performance as the lead on-field official for Sunday’s Super Bowl LX. Smith officiated the game before an estimated worldwide audience of 125 million viewers.
The game, which saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29-13, featured Smith in the role of referee. Analysts noted that Smith and his crew managed the championship effectively without allowing officiating to dictate the final result.
Ben Austro, founder and editor-in-chief of the Football Zebras website, praised the crew’s performance during the broadcast. Austro noted the officials were present when needed but stayed out of the spotlight for much of the first half.
“The crew has every reason to feel they earned this assignment and their Super Bowl rings,” Austro said. “Smith was in command for his first Super Bowl; it shouldn’t be long before he returns.”
Mark Schultz, senior editor of the Football Zebras website, also evaluated the performance. Schultz observed that while Smith appeared to have some initial nerves, he quickly settled into the game.“I could tell Smith was nervous coming to the coin toss,” Schultz said. “But he kept his emotions in check and got the game started off on the right foot.
”The officiating crew faced a few minor criticisms regarding a potential pass interference penalty that was not called against the Patriots. Additionally, a skirmish involving punches occurred late in the fourth quarter, though no players were ejected from the game.
“The bottom line is that the officials had absolutely no influence on the outcome of this game,” Schultz said. He added that the crew kept a lid on the game and ensured everyone left the field safely.Smith is currently in his 11th season as an NFL official and his eighth as a referee. In this role, he serves as the final authority on rulings, manages the officiating crew and announces penalties.
While Smith served as the alternate referee for Super Bowls LV and LVIII, the 2026 game marked his first on-field appearance at a championship. Before the game began, Smith expressed gratitude for the people who helped him reach the milestone.
“I’m humbled, but very excited by this opportunity,” Smith said. “So many people built the foundation for this to happen. A lot of folks created opportunities for me. I’m excited for the people at Ferris State and the high school folks and all the people who helped me along the way.”
Smith’s career in officiating began with Pop Warner games during junior high school. He later officiated flag football at Eastern Michigan University, where he had originally been recruited for track and football before transferring to Ferris State.
During his time at Ferris State, Smith officiated high school football games. His progression through the ranks included a move directly from Division III to Division II officiating before being hired by the NFL in 2015.