Former Penn State star, current NFL official to make Super Bowl history
Former Penn State star Terry Killens will set a unique piece of Super Bowl history this February.
Killens, a former linebacker turned official, was announced as a piece of the Super Bowl officiating crew on Tuesday.
Longtime referee Bill Vinovich will lead the group while Killens will serve as the Umpire in his first-ever Super Bowl assignment. Down judge Patrick Holt, side judge Allen Baynes and back judge Brad Freeman are fellow Super Bowl newcomers in the game.
However, Killens has a special distinction. He will become the first-ever individual to play in and officiate a Super Bowl when he works the game on Feb. 11. A former linebacker for the Nittany Lions, Killens was a 3rd-round draft pick of the Houston Oilers in 1996.
He would eventually appear in the Super Bowl following the 1999 season for the Tennessee Titans. Killens and the Titans would lose that game to the St. Louis Rams.
James Franklin reacted to the news, saying he loves seeing Killens “living his dream as an official in Super Bowl LVIII.”
Love seeing @PennStateFball Lettermen Terry Killens living his dream as an official in Super Bowl LVIII. Proud to have TK be the first person to both play in and officiate a Super Bowl. #WeAre https://t.co/EvQyNGigfZ
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) January 24, 2024