As Super Bowl LX draws closer, the NFL has finally lifted the curtain on the officials who will oversee football’s biggest night.
The league confirmed on Tuesday that Shawn Smith will serve as the game’s lead referee, marking his first time in charge of a Super Bowl crew, on Sunday, Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
His promotion marks a milestone as one of few Black referees to lead football’s premier game, and joining Smith will be umpire Roy Ellison, side judge Eugene Hall, back judge Greg Steed, down judge Dana McKenszie, line judge Julian Mapp, field judge Jason Ledet, and replay official Andrew Lambert.
Smith‘s crew blends veteran officials with prior Super Bowl experience and debutants, giving the NFL a balance of leadership and fresh perspective for a game that will be watched globally.
He entered the league in 2015, initially as an umpire before promotion to referee in 2018 after several veteran retirements. He wears number 14 and has earned high marks for consistency over multiple postseason assignments.
Before the NFL, Smith officiated college games in Conference USA, the Big Ten, and the Mid-American Conference.
Yet some fans are wondering about the absence of familiar faces as questions were raised about Carl Cheffers being sidelined.
One fan asked, “Not Carl Cheffers? Did something happen?”
And another said, “Why not Cheffers?”
The 65-year-old Cheffers began his career as an NFL referee in 2008 and first appeared at the Super Bowl as an alternate referee in the 2015 match-up between the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.
He then took charge of Super Bowl LI between the Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in 2017 before taking the reins for Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He most recently refereed the Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
For 2026, Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams will meet Denver Broncos or New England Patriots for the Lombardi Trophy, with the championship games set this Sunday, and fans already speculating on every detail of the Super Bowl stage.
Super Bowl 60 preview: Which teams can reach last game of the season?
On the field, NFC contenders the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams meet after thrilling victories as Seattle demolished the San Francisco 49ers to host the NFC Championship, while the Los Angeles Rams escaped Chicago Bears in overtime.
The Seahawks and Rams will play for the third time this season. Advanced metrics suggest this is the highest-quality playoff matchup in NFL history, as the teams split regular-season meetings by one and two points.
The Los Angeles Rams rely on quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has thrown five touchdowns with no interceptions against the Seattle Seahawks this season, while Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold must offset four picks and four sacks.
AFC matchups feature the Denver Broncos hosting the Patriots. The Denver Broncos advanced in overtime, ending Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen‘s Super Bowl hopes and costing Sean McDermott his job.
The Patriots‘ 16-win season marks a major turnaround, blending rookie contributions with veteran acquisitions. Head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye have guided the team through two intense defensive playoff games.
The Broncos face a challenge after starter quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken ankle. Backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who has not thrown a pass in the NFL in 749 days, now leads the Denver toward a third AFC Championship appearance in 20 years.
Seattle‘s wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Broncos‘ running back JK Dobbins will play key roles, especially as injuries affect top backs like the Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet who is out with an ACL tear.
Ultimately, Super Bowl 60 will hinge on timing, execution, and making critical plays at decisive moments. Shawn Smith‘s officiating crew faces immense scrutiny while managing the NFL’s biggest, most-watched game.
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