Gene Steratore facts for kids

Eugene Joseph Steratore (born February 8, 1963) is a well-known former sports official. He worked as an official in the National Football League (NFL) from 2003 until he retired in June 2018. He also worked as a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball referee from 1997 to 2018. Since the fall of 2018, Steratore has been a rules expert for CBS Sports. He explains calls and rules during NFL, college football, college basketball, and March Madness games.

Gene Steratore's Career in Sports

Officiating in the NFL

Gene Steratore started his NFL career as a field judge in 2003. A field judge is one of the officials on the field who helps make sure the game rules are followed. He became a main referee at the start of the 2006 season. He was one of two new referees that year. His uniform number was 114.

Steratore was chosen as the alternate referee for Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. This means he was ready to step in if the main referee couldn't continue. He was later chosen to be the main referee for Super Bowl LII, which was played on February 4, 2018. This Super Bowl was his very last game as an NFL official.

Important NFL Moments

Steratore was involved in some memorable moments during his NFL career.

• The "Calvin Johnson Rule": In 2010, during a game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, Lions receiver Calvin Johnson caught what looked like a winning touchdown. However, after reviewing the play, Steratore decided that Johnson lost control of the ball as he went to the ground. This call led to a rule often called the "Calvin Johnson rule." It helps officials decide when a player has truly completed a catch.

• Returning After the Lockout: In 2012, NFL officials had a lockout, meaning they didn't work for a while. When the lockout ended, Gene Steratore was chosen to be the referee for the very first game back. Fans cheered him and his crew when they came onto the field.

• The Index Card Play: In a game in 2017 between the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders, Steratore used an index card to help him decide if the Cowboys had gained enough yards for a first down. This was a very unusual way to make a call. His decision allowed Dallas to kick a field goal and win the game.

Retiring from the NFL

Gene Steratore announced his retirement as an NFL referee on June 22, 2018. He was one of several well-known referees who retired that year.

Working as a Rules Analyst

After retiring from officiating, Steratore joined CBS Sports as a rules analyst. In this role, he explains complex rules and controversial calls to TV viewers during games. He provides his expert opinion on plays in NFL games, college football, and college basketball, including the exciting NCAA March Madness tournament. He is one of the few rules analysts who covers both football and basketball.

Gene Steratore's Personal Life

Gene Steratore lives in Washington, Pennsylvania, which is a suburb of Pittsburgh. His older brother, Tony Steratore, was also an NFL official until he retired in 2021. Their father, Gene Steratore Sr., was also a college football official and basketball referee.

Outside of their sports careers, Gene and his brother Tony are co-owners of a business called Steratore Sanitary Supply in Washington, Pennsylvania.