Shawn Hochuli NFL Referee Career Overview
Shawn Hochuli is a veteran referee in the National Football League, known for his clear signals and consistent mechanics. He began his NFL officiating career in 2014 and was promoted to referee for the 2018 season after working multiple playoff games as a side judge and referee. Hochuli is the son of retired referee Ed Hochuli, who was a prominent NFL official from 1990 to 2017. Shawn Hochuli wears uniform number 83 and is assigned to crews that officiate games across the AFC and NFC conferences each season Forbes.
As a referee, Hochuli is responsible for enforcing NFL rules, managing the officiating crew, and making final decisions on scoring plays, penalties, and replay reviews. He has worked in the Southeastern Conference and the Pac-12 before joining the NFL, giving him experience at both the college and professional levels. His promotion path followed the standard NFL officiating development pipeline, which includes evaluations, fitness tests, and assignments to postseason games ESPN.
Shawn Hochuli Salary and Compensation
NFL referees receive a base salary that increases with experience and postseason assignments. While the NFL does not publish individual referee salaries, industry estimates place senior referees like Shawn Hochuli in the range of 200000 to 300000 dollars per season, with additional pay for playoff and Super Bowl games Forbes. Compensation includes a standard season salary, per-game bonuses, and benefits such as travel allowances and retirement contributions through the NFL Referees Association pension plan.
Referee pay is structured differently from player contracts, with most officials holding full-time or part-time positions outside of football during the offseason. The NFL negotiates collective bargaining agreements with the officiating union that set minimum pay scales, travel requirements, and assignment policies. Hochuli's compensation reflects his rank as a top-tier referee with multiple playoff and high-profile regular-season assignments NFL Officials Page.
Recent Assignments and Notable Games
Shawn Hochuli has been assigned to several primetime and playoff games in recent NFL seasons, including Thursday Night Football and Sunday Night Football matchups. He has officiated games involving teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles, working crews that manage complex situations like two-minute drills and challenge reviews. His assignments are determined by the NFL Officiating Department based on performance evaluations and crew consistency NFL Officials.
Key Assignments and Crew Leadership
Hochuli has served as the referee for conference championship games and has worked crews that handled high-stakes regular-season games with playoff implications. His crew members include umpires, line judges, and field judges who are evaluated on positioning, penalty enforcement, and communication. The NFL assigns crews to minimize travel and ensure familiarity with team tendencies, and Hochuli is regularly selected for games that require experienced leadership Pro Football Reference.