NFL referee Bill Vinovich. (Getty)
For the third-straight season, Bill Vinovich will be the referee in a major NFL Playoffs game.
The veteran will be the head referee for the 2017 NFC Championship Game on Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons host the Green Bay Packers.
Vinovich worked last year’s NFC title game and the Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl for the 2014-15 season. This will be his ninth career postseason assignment (3 Conference Championships, 3 Divisional Rounds, 2 Wild-Cards and the 1 Super Bowl).
According to FootballZebras.com, this is the crew that will work with Vinovich:
Umpire — Paul King (#121)
Head Linesman — Mark Hittner (#28)
Line Judge — Julian Mapp (#10)
Field Judge — Tom Hill (#97)
Side Judge — Greg Gautreaux (#80)
Back Judge — Scott Helverson (#93)
Bill Vinovich is the referee for NFC Championship #GBvsATL
Terry McAulay will have the AFC Championship #PITvsNE
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Vinovich began his NFL career in 2001 as a side judge before becoming a referee in 2004. But before the 2007 season, he was diagnosed with a heart condition, forcing him from field action. Vinovich went to work for the league office as a replay official. Doctors cleared Vinovich to return to the field in 2012.
He also referees Division I College Basketball and works as an accountant outside of the sports world.
The NFC Championship Game is set for Sunday at 3:05 p.m. Eastern. It will be televised by FOX.
Terry McAulay will handle the AFC contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots in Foxboro.
Reports are surfacing that the Super Bowl ref will be Carl Cheffers, who has been in the NFL since 2000 (since 2008 as a referee).
Football Zebras has confirmed Carl Cheffers is the referee for #SuperBowl LI.
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