Dick Jorgensen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard M. Jorgensen (1934-04-12)April 12, 1934 Neenah, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 1990(1990-10-10) (aged 56) Urbana, Illinois, U.S. |
| Resting place | Bailey Memorial Cemetery,Tolono, Illinois |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin, 1956 Neenah High School, 1952 |
| Occupation(s) | Bank president, NFLreferee |
| Known for | NFL referee, civic leader |
| Board member of | United Way, chamber of commerce, country club |
| Spouse | Adlon Dohme Jorgensen (m.1959–1990, his death)[1] |
| Children | 3 daughters |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  U.S. Navy |
| Years of service | 1956–1958 |
| Battles / wars | Cold War |
Richard M. Jorgensen (April 12, 1934 – October 10, 1990) was anAmerican football official in theNational Football League (NFL) for 22 years, through the1989 season, the last 19 years as areferee.[2]
Jorgensen's officiating career was highlighted by being selected to refereeSuper Bowl XXIV in January 1990. He was an alternate official forSuper Bowl VIII in 1974 andSuper Bowl XV in 1981.
Born and raised inNeenah, Wisconsin, southwest ofGreen Bay, Jorgensen was a three-sport athlete atNeenah High School, where he starred infootball andtennis.[2] His primary sport wasbasketball, played under longtime head coach Ole Jorgensen (1904–1988), his father.[3] His mother Edith also worked at the school, as a physical education teacher. In Jorgensen's senior year in 1952, Neenah advanced to the state semifinals in basketball.[2] and he was selected for the all-state team.[4]
A 6-foot (1.83 m)shooting guard, Jorgensen playedcollege basketball in theBig Ten Conference at theUniversity of Wisconsin inMadison underhall of fame head coachBud Foster.[4][5] He was captain of theBadgers his senior year in1956,[6][7] graduated and served two years in theU.S. Navy,[8] and married Adlon Dohme in 1959.[1]
After five seasons officiating high school and small college football,[9] Jorgensen began his NFL career in1968 as aline judge. He was promoted to referee three years later in1971 when his crew chief from1970, George Rennix, retired.
In the NFL, Jorgensen was assigned to 12 post-season games, including four conference championship games and Super Bowl XXIV (he was the alternate referee forSuper Bowl XV).[9] On the field, Jorgensen wore uniform number 60 for the majority of his career (he wore number 6 from1979–81, when officials were numbered separately by position).
Known for his poise as a referee in the 1970s and 1980s, one incident summarized his presence and is often replayed in highlights.[2] While approaching a fourth quarter scuffle during aMonday night game in November1983, Jorgensen was inadvertently struck in the mouth by an elbow fromDetroit Lions guardLarry Lee, who swung atNew York Giants linebackerLawrence Taylor. The blow caused a cut which required a stitch, but Jorgensen proceeded with the game after calling a penalty and ejecting Lee.[2][10][11]
Off the field, Jorgensen served as President of Marine Bank ofChampaign-Urbana,Illinois.[8] Active in the community as a civic leader, he was also president of the local chapter of theUnited Way, the chamber of commerce, and his country club.[2]
Super Bowl XXIV in January 1990 was Jorgensen's final game as a game official;[9] that May, he was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.[2][12] He died five months later at age 56 on October 10 inUrbana, Illinois.[8] For the remainder of the1990 season, NFL officials wore a black armband on their left sleeve with the white number 60 to honor Jorgensen.[13]
He and his wife Adlon had three daughters.[2] Jorgensen was buried at Bailey Memorial Cemetery inTolono.