Longtime NFL referee Invoice Leavy useless at 76

NFL official Invoice Leavy, greatest remembered for serving because the referee throughout the controversial Tremendous Bowl XL, has died at 76.

A explanation for demise was not given.

“Saddened to listen to of the lack of Invoice Leavy,” former official and CBS analyst Gene Steratore said on Twitter. “Invoice was a superb referee and only a pleasure to be round. Life is simply too brief. He was an amazing mentor and good friend. Relaxation in Peace Invoice.”

Leavy worked in the NFL from 1995 to 2014, the place he officiated in two Tremendous Bowl video games together with the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks at Tremendous Bowl XL in 2006.

The crew was criticized for several calls against Seattle, together with a holding penalty negating a completion that will have put the ball on the Steelers’ one-yard line.

He also penalized quarterback Matt Hasselbeck for an unlawful low block following an interception, giving the Steelers 15 yards.

Pittsburgh won the game 21-10.

“It was a troublesome factor for me. I impacted the sport,” Leavy said in 2010. “As an official, you by no means need to do this. It left me with a whole lot of sleepless nights, and I give it some thought continually. I’ll go to my grave wishing that I’d been higher.”

Leavy, who died three days after his birthday, was a firefighter and police officer in San Jose earlier than he turned an official, according to his obituary.

In 2000, Leavy labored Tremendous Bowl XXXIV between the Rams and Titans as a again choose and was promoted to referee the next 12 months.

After retiring in 2015, he took a supervisory place with the league’s officiating division.

In 2019, Leavy received the Artwork McNally Award, given yearly to an official who “displays exemplary professionalism, management, and dedication to sportsmanship, on and off the sector.”

“Invoice was an impressive official and an excellent higher man,” Senior Vice President of Officiating Walt Anderson told Football Zebras. “At all times sort and considerate, Invoice was instrumental in mentoring numerous younger officers all through his profession. His recognition as an Artwork McNally Award winner highlights that selfless dedication to officiating.  His integrity earned him respect at each step of his soccer journey and your complete officiating neighborhood mourns his loss.”