Ed Hochuli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed Hochuli
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Hochuli in 2017
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| Born | December 25, 1950 |
| Alma mater | University of Texas at El Paso University of Arizona Law School |
| Occupation | NFL official (1990–2017) Attorney (Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, P.L.C.) (1983–2021) |
| Children | 6 (including Shawn Hochuli) |
Edward G. Hochuli (born December 25, 1950) is an American who used to be a lawyer and a football official. He worked as an official in the National Football League (NFL) from 1990 to 2017. His uniform number was 85.
Before becoming an NFL official, he played college football for four years. He played for the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Hochuli worked many important playoff games. This included two Super Bowls. People often remember him for his strong, muscular build. He was also known for explaining rules on the field very clearly. In a poll by ESPN in 2008, NFL coaches voted him one of the "best referees."
He retired in March 2018. His son, Shawn Hochuli, also became an NFL referee in 2019.
Contents
About Ed Hochuli
Early Life and Sports
Ed Hochuli was born on December 25, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family moved to Tucson, Arizona when he was eight. He was the second of six children.
He went to Canyon del Oro High School and graduated in 1969. In high school, he played football, basketball, wrestling, and track. He was very competitive, especially because of his older brother.
Ed played linebacker for the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) football team. This was from 1969 to 1972. He also earned good grades, getting academic honors in 1972.
Becoming a Lawyer
Ed's father, Walter Hochuli, worked with law, helping people with wills and estates. This made Ed interested in a law career. He earned his law degree from the University of Arizona Law School in 1976.
After law school, he became a lawyer in Arizona. He was a trial lawyer and a partner at a law firm called Jones, Skelton and Hochuli, P.L.C. He worked there from 1983 until he retired.
He found both law and football exciting. He said that trying a case in court was like an "adrenaline rush." He also compared the football field to a courtroom. He said that in both places, you need to be in charge and convince people of your decision.
His Family
Ed Hochuli lives in the Phoenix metropolitan area with his wife, Cathie. They have six children and ten grandchildren.
His son, Shawn Hochuli, followed in his footsteps. Shawn played college football and then became a football official. Shawn started as a side judge in the NFL in 2014. He later became a head referee, just like his dad.
Another son, Scott Hochuli, owns a home design and remodeling company. Ed's other sons, Daniel and Peter, also work in law. Daniel is a town attorney, and Peter is a judge.
Ed's Officiating Career
Starting Out as an Official
Ed Hochuli began officiating Pop Warner football games. He did this while in law school to earn extra money. A former high school coach suggested it as a way to stay involved with sports.
He also umpired Little League Baseball games from 1970 to 1973. By 1973, he focused on football. He officiated high school games in Tucson until 1985. He also worked college football games in the 1980s.
In the NFL
The NFL hired Hochuli in 1990 as a back judge. His first NFL game was on August 11, 1990. He worked with referee Howard Roe for his first two years.
He was promoted to referee in 1992. This happened when another referee, Stan Kemp, had to retire. Hochuli worked his first game as a referee in a preseason game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hochuli was the head referee for two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXVIII. He also worked five conference championship games. The NFL grades officials every week. These grades help decide who gets to work playoff games and the Super Bowl.
One famous moment was during a 1993 Thanksgiving Day game. The Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins were playing. A blocked field goal led to a confusing play. Ed had to talk to other officials to figure out what happened. He then made the correct call, which helped Miami win.
In 2005, he officiated the first NFL regular-season game played outside the United States. This game was in Mexico City. Ed announced the first penalty in Spanish to honor the host country. His son, Shawn, did something similar in Germany in 2024.
Ed was also the referee for two of Brett Favre's record-breaking moments. He told Favre during a game that he had set the record for most pass completions. Later, he was there when Favre broke the record for most touchdown passes.
In 2008, Ed made an incorrect call in a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos. He accidentally blew his whistle too early on a fumble. He later said it was a "devastating feeling." Because of this, the NFL changed a rule. This allowed such plays to be reviewed using instant replay.
Officials' Union
Hochuli was the head of the National Football League Referees Association (NFLRA). This is the union that represents NFL officials. In 2001, the union and the NFL had a disagreement over salaries.
For the first time, the NFL used replacement officials for regular season games. The officials eventually agreed to a new six-year deal. They returned to work on September 23, 2001.
Ed Hochuli's Celebrity Status
Ed Hochuli became very popular among football fans. Many people think this started when former NFL quarterback Phil Simms mentioned his big arms on TV. Fans affectionately called him "Hochules," combining his last name with "Hercules" because of his muscles.
Even though he was famous, Ed didn't quite understand it. He said he was "just a referee" and that the players were the real stars. But he enjoyed the attention. He said, "I enjoy the fact that there are people who like me as a referee."
His fame meant people recognized him everywhere. Former NBA player Charles Barkley even approached him at an airport.
The NFL Network made a TV show about him in 2005 called Six Days to Sunday. It showed how he prepared for games each week. This included watching fifteen hours of video, studying the rulebook, and taking weekly tests.
Ed Hochuli's likeness also appeared in the Madden NFL video game series starting with Madden NFL 06. He was even on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2012.
Images for kids
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Hochuli in 2017
