Terry Killens facts for kids

Terry Deleon Killens, born on March 24, 1974, is a unique person in the world of American football. He first played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). After his playing career, he became an official, helping to make sure games are fair. What makes him truly special is that he is the first person ever to both play in and officiate a Super Bowl, which is the NFL's championship game!

Terry Killens: His Journey in Football

Terry Killens started his football journey playing in college for Penn State. He was a very good player there. In 1995, he was even named to the Second-team All-Big Ten, which means he was one of the best players in his college conference.

Playing in the NFL

In 1996, Terry was chosen by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the NFL Draft. This is how professional teams pick new players. He played for the Oilers, who later became the Tennessee Titans. He was with them from 1996 to 2000.

Terry also played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2001 and the Seattle Seahawks in 2002. He was a strong defensive player, known for making tackles.

Reaching the Super Bowl

One of the biggest moments in Terry's playing career was in the 1999 season. His team, the Tennessee Titans, made it all the way to Super Bowl XXXIV. Terry played in this huge game as a substitute. Even though the Titans played hard, they lost to the St. Louis Rams.

Becoming an NFL Official

After his time as a player, Terry Killens decided to stay involved with football in a different way. He became a football official. Officials are the people who wear stripes and make sure the rules are followed during a game.

Terry started officiating in college football, working in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) since at least 2013. He also worked in another league called the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. In these games, he worked as an umpire. The umpire stands behind the defensive line and watches for fouls.

Making History in the Super Bowl

In April 2019, it was announced that Terry Killens would join the NFL's officiating staff. He wears uniform number 77 as an umpire.

In 2024, Terry Killens made history. He was the umpire for Super Bowl LVIII. This was a huge achievement because it meant he became the first person ever to both play in a Super Bowl and then officiate one! It shows his dedication and love for the game of football.