NFL: What Caused Art McNally Death? The Father of Instant Replay dies at 97
McNally died on Monday at the age of 97, according to Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Art McNally, the first NFL official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, passed away at the age of 97. His son, Tom McNally, informed the media on Monday that his father died of natural causes in a hospital near his hometown of Newtown, Pennsylvania.
The former NFL official will be remembered for his significant contribution to the modernization of American football. He instituted several new changes in the way games are now officiated.
McNally had been an on-field official for nearly 50 years and was inducted into the Hall of Fame just five months before his death.
Also, McNally’s legacy in the NFL will be forever etched in history for introducing Instant Replay and several changes in game officiation.
The NFL community is deeply saddened by his death and has expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
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Who Was Art McNally?
McNally was born in the state of Pennsylvania. Beginning in 1959, he worked as a field judge and referee in the NFL for nine seasons. McNally received a promotion in 1968. He was named the NFL’s director of officiating the following year.
The Philadelphia native served in the Marine Corps during WWII before becoming a teacher and coach at Central High School in Philadelphia. McNally’s role in the 1986 introduction of instant replay was one of his greatest achievements. He decided to retire from football in 1990.
He later returned to the NFL as an associate supervisor of officials in 1996, a position he held until 2007. After more than ten years as an assistant supervisor, the renowned referee switched positions in 2008 to observe and coach officials.
McNally spent 20 years in the NFL front office in various officiating positions before becoming the official’s supervisor. McNally was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. He was the first on-field official to be inducted into Canton.
The Death Of Hall of Fame official Art McNally Has Struck The NFL Community With Grief
Art McNally’s legacy may have influenced the current and upcoming NFL games. On July 1, 1925, he was born in Philadelphia. He was a Temple graduate who also served in the US Marine Corps during WWII.
This is where he got his first taste of refereeing, officiating a game between service personnel. He was chosen for this role at the time because he was deemed to be the man with the most integrity to do justice to the job.
“To see Art’s decades of service recognised with his enshrinement as part of the Class of 2022 was a special moment for the Hall,” says Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His legacy as a strong leader who helped usher in advanced official training and the technology required to keep up with a faster and more complicated game will live on in Canton.”
“Art Mcnally was an extraordinary man, the epitome of integrity and class,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said of McNally’s death. Throughout his illustrious career, he earned the admiration of the entire football community.
He was the first official to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But, perhaps more importantly, he was a Hall of Famer in every way.”
In 1988, McNally also appointed Johnny Grier, the first Black official, to the position of referee. The officiating command centre at NFL headquarters has been renamed ‘Art McNally GameDay Central’ to honour McNally’s contributions to the league and the game.
Because of his impeccable legacy, fans and players will forever feel his impact and presence in NFL games.
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Death Of Art McNally
Art McNally, the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s first on-field official, has died. He was 97.
His son, Tom McNally, said his father died of natural causes at a hospital in Newtown, Pennsylvania, near where he had lived for many years.
McNally died less than five months after being inducted into the Hall of Fame, after more than a half-century career as an on-field official, NFL head of officiating, and league adviser who is credited with modernising the practise of game officiating.
“Art McNally was an extraordinary man, the epitome of integrity and class,” said Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement released Monday. “Throughout his distinguished officiating career, he earned the eternal respect of the entire football community.
He was the first official to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. But, perhaps more importantly, he was a Hall of Famer in every way.”
While baseball, basketball, and hockey had already inducted several officials into their Halls of Fame, McNally was the first to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in August.
Biography Of Art McNally
McNally grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Roman Catholic High School before attending Temple University in Philadelphia. McNally worked as a teacher and coach at Central High School in Philadelphia before being appointed as the NFL’s supervisor of officials prior to the 1968 season. He had served in the Marine Corps during WWII.
McNally oversaw a department of five men who coordinated and directed a staff of 112 game officials as NFL director of officiating. He was in charge of scouting, screening, hiring, and grading the seven-person crews that work each NFL game. Also, McNally was instrumental in the use of game footage to evaluate game officials.
After the 1990 season, McNally was succeeded by Jerry Seeman. McNally accepted the position of Supervisor of Officials for the World League of American Football in December 1991, after retiring as director of officiating. And, McNally remained a league consultant and game observer after that.
McNally rejoined the NFL front office in 1996 as an assistant supervisor of officials, a position he held until 2008 before moving to an observer role for the next eight seasons. McNally announced his retirement after the 2015 season.
Personal Life and Death Of Art McNally
Rita McNally was McNally’s first wife until her death in 1980. He eventually married Sharon.
McNally became the oldest living member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after the death of Charley Trippi in October 2022, until his own death.
And, McNally died at the age of 97 on January 1, 2023.
Awards and Honors Of Art McNally
In August 2022, McNally became the first NFL official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, after being voted in that January.
- Oversaw the first instant replay system in the NFL beginning with the 1986 season. This system was used until the conclusion of the 1991 season.
- Enshrined to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, 1987.
- First recipient of the Gold Whistle Award, National Association of Sports Officials, 1988.
- NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue created the Art McNally Award to annually honor an NFL game official who exhibits exemplary professionalism, leadership and commitment to sportsmanship on and off the field. This award is presented at the Pro Bowl.
- Recipient of the Reds Bagnell Award, Maxwell Football Club, 2004.
- Named a finalist for the 2020 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor.
- Inducted to the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first game official to be enshrined in Canton.
Quick Facts About Art McNally
| Name | Art McNally |
| Profession | Soccer Player |
| Date of Birth | July 1, 1925 |
| Age | 97 years old |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $6 million |
FAQs About Art McNally
1. Who was Art McNally?
Art McNally was a Soccer Player. Art McNally was born on July 1, 1925, and he was 97 years old (at the time of his death).
2. What was Art McNally Net Worth?
Art McNally was a Soccer Player who had a net worth of $1 million – $6 million. Art McNally was born on July 1, 1925.
3. How old was Art McNally?
Art McNally was born on July 1, 1925. Art McNally was 97 years old (at the time of his death).
