Jerry Seeman has informed Commissioner Paul Tagliabue that he will retire following the 2000 season, his 10th season as the head of NFL officiating, the NFL announced today.

"I am proud to be able to say that I worked with the best officials in sports for 25 years," Seeman said. "I have enjoyed every minute – both on the field and in the Commissioner’s office – and will forever cherish my association with the NFL and the extraordinary professionals who officiate our games."

Seeman, 64, took over as director of officiating prior to the 1991 season following the retirement of Art McNally. Seeman served as an on-field NFL official for 16 years prior to moving into the NFL office.

During his tenure as the head of officiating, Seeman modernized and improved NFL officiating in many ways, playing a key role with the Competition Committee on all rules-related matters.

He improved communication with the clubs by introducing a program for direct interaction with head coaches and their staffs. It included officiating crews visiting training camps to work practices and scrimmages and to meet with players and coaches; an annual May meeting of referees, head coaches and coordinators; offseason meetings between the officiating supervisors and each coaching staff; and an annual meeting at the Scouting Combine between the Competition Committee, a group of head coaches representing each division, and several top on-field officials.

Seeman introduced computer video technology to the program, expanded the grading system of officials, recruited and trained new officials, updated the rule book, developed and administered the NFL Europe League officiating program, and oversaw the return of instant replay in 1999. Seeman also initiated a relationship with college football officiating and recently instituted a program to help train high school officials.

"Jerry Seeman has the unique distinction of being one of the league’s greatest on-field officials and also a tremendous leader and innovator off the field as our senior director of officiating," said Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. "His outstanding legacy on the field, including two Super Bowls as a referee, was matched by his accomplishments in the league office. Jerry restructured and modernized the officiating program, and it is recognized as a model for all sports leagues. His innovative approach and his dedicated pursuit of excellence will be missed."

Seeman joined the NFL in 1975 as a line judge after 12 years as a college official. He moved to head linesman in 1976 and to referee in 1979. He continued as a referee through the 1990 season and worked two Super Bowls as a referee – Super Bowl XXIII in Miami between Cincinnati and San Francisco and Super Bowl XXV in Tampa between Buffalo and the New York Giants. Super Bowl XXV was his final game on the field.

In 1991, Seeman left his full-time job as central office administrator with the Fridley, Minnesota public school district to succeed McNally as the NFL head of officiating.

Seeman informed all of the NFL officials Saturday of his decision to retire. The officials are in Dallas for the annual preseason NFL officiating clinic.