Arthur Ignatius McNally (July 1, 1925 – January 1, 2023) was an American professionalfootball executive who was director of officiating for theNational Football League (NFL)[1] from 1968 to 1991. Before becoming director of officiating—succeedingMark Duncan, who had held the position from 1964 to 1968—McNally served as a field judge and referee in the NFL for nine years from 1959 to 1967. During a 22-year span, he officiated over 3,000football,baseball, andbasketball games, which included one year in theNational Basketball Association (NBA).[2] In 2022, McNally became the first NFL game official to be enshrined into thePro Football Hall of Fame.[3]
As NFL director of officiating, McNally headed a department of five men who coordinated and directed a staff of 112 game officials. He was responsible for the scouting, screening, hiring, and grading of the seven-man crews that work each NFL game. McNally was instrumental in using game footage for the evaluation of game officials.[8]
McNally was succeeded byJerry Seeman after the 1990 season. After retiring as director of officiating, McNally accepted the position as Supervisor of Officials for theWorld League of American Football in December 1991, a position he held for five years. McNally continued to serve as a league consultant and game observer thereafter.[6]
McNally returned to the NFL front office in 1996 to work as an assistant supervisor of officials, a position he served in until 2008, before transitioning to an observer role for eight seasons. McNally officially retired following the 2015 season.[6]
McNally was married to his first wife, Rita, until her death in 1981.[9] He married his second wife, Sharon, in 1986.[10][9] He had four children - Zach, Jonah, Brayden, and Jake.[9]
After the death ofCharley Trippi in October 2022, McNally was the oldest living member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame until his own death.[11]
In August 2022, McNally became the first NFL official inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, after being voted in that January.[13] At 96, McNally was the oldest person to be inducted during his lifetime.[5]
Enshrined to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, 1987.[15]
First recipient of the Gold Whistle Award, National Association of Sports Officials, 1988.[15]
NFL CommissionerPaul Tagliabue created theArt McNally Award in 2002 to annually honour an NFL game official who exhibits exemplary professionalism, leadership and commitment to sportsmanship on and off the field.[12]
Recipient of the Reds Bagnell Award, Maxwell Football Club, 2004.[15]
