Having had my say yesterday about baseball I get to turn my attention to football today. Van Heusen is sponsoring a “you choose” them vote on a website to let football know who you think should be in Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

http://www.fanschoice.com/vote.aspx

You can vote for whoever you want to but my vote will go to Jim Tunney who is a legendary referee I grew up watching and hearing about. Jim is more than a retired ref though, he is a leader. In fact, he is a past president of my trade association, the National Speakers Association.

Here are some more stats..

I agree that it’s time to elect an on-field game official to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME / JIM TUNNEY Nominee

On Field
3 Super Bowls VI – XI – XII as Referee
Youngest (42) NFL Official to be a referee in a Super Bowl
Back to back Super Bowls
First NFL official and referee ever to achieve back to back Super Bowls
4th Super Bowl as alternate referee

31 years as an NFL Official
24 years in the position of referee
No other NFL official has obtained that tenure in the referee position
Only (1) other NFL official with longer tenure

29 Post Season assignments (out of 31) including:
4 Super Bowls
10 Championship games – all as a referee – (no other official has reached that distinction)
6 Pro Bowl Games (no other official has exceeded that number)
25 Monday night Games – (no other official has exceeded that number)

President of the NFL Officials Association (PFRA) 1976-1981

Memorable Games
Dallas at Cleveland (Nov 25, 1963) (Sunday after President Kennedy’s assassination) Commissioner Rozelle chose the best crew to manage this emotionally impactful event.
The Field Goal (Dec 1965)-After this game, they added a sixth official under the goal post and raised the posts another 10 feet above the crossbar.
The Ice Bowl (Dec 31, 1967), Green Bay vs. Dallas. Coldest playoff game on record*
The Kick (Nov 1970) Tom Dempsey sets a record with a 63 yard field goal
The 100th Green Bay @ Chicago (Wrigley Field) Game (1963) Halas vs. Lombardi
The Catch (1982) Dallas @ San Francisco *
The Snowball Game (Nov 1985) San Francisco @ Denver, MNF (no fan interference)
The Drive (1986) Denver @ Cleveland*
The Final Fumble (1987) Cleveland @ Denver*
The Fog Bowl (Dec 1988) Philadelphia vs. Chicago*
Referee to make the decision to continue the game.
Referred first NFL Game outside the United States (Tokyo Japan) 1976

Honors and Distinctions
Stovall Sports Man of the Year – 1989
Sporting News Best NFL Official – 1990
College Football Official
Referee in the Junior (College) Rose Bowl Game: 1958- 1959- 1960
Commissioner of SCIAC (Southern California)
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 1961-1964
First Official named to All-Madden Team (1989)
Recipient of Referee Magazine’s Golden Whistle (1990)

Off the Field
Created the Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (1993- present): provides funds for community youth programs.

Special Olympics volunteer since 1973.
Special Olympics (pro bono) speaker for fundraising events in California, Montana, Washington and Arizona
Special Olympics Summer Games leadership volunteer

Professional Speaker
Past President and 6 year Board Member of the National Speakers Association
NSA Speakers Hall of Fame (inducted 1980)
Holds every professional speaker designation
Cavett Recipient (Highest honor in Professional Speaking-2000)
Named NSA’s Philanthropist of the Year (2007)
Pro bono speaker to numerous organizations including:
The Panetta Institute
California School District assemblies
Educational and Administrative conferences in Education

Community Leader
Headmaster of the York School 1993-1994
Serves on the Monterey Peninsula College Governing Board of Trustees (1997-2009)
Chair 5 years (2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2008-2009)
National Football Foundation Board member (1984-2004)
Community Partnership for Youth Board Member (1990-present)
World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame Board Member (1997-2001)

Doctorate Degree in Education, University of Southern California (1973)
Masters Degree in Education, University of Southern California (1970)
Bachelor’s Degree, Occidental College, (1951)
Alumni of the Year (Gold Seal Award-1985)
Alhambra High School Hall of Fame inductee: 1984 (inaugural year)

Los Angeles and Bellflower School Districts (1951-1978)
Teacher-Coach-High School Principal, District Superintendent

Author or co-authored 9 books including:
Impartial Judgment- Chronicling 31 years as an NFL referee
Chicken Soup for the Sports Fans Soul
It’s the Will Not the Skill

Etc etc etc.

All too often in our society we are quick to criticize and slow to praise. Click on the link and you can add your praise and support to Jim.

http://www.fanschoice.com/vote.aspx

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