NFL Referee Ed Hochuli – And His Biceps – To Retire
Longtime NFL referee Ed Hochuli will retire, NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron said Tuesday.
Retiring with Hochuli is Jeff Triplette, who has been with the league since 1996. Former back judge Shawn Hochuli — yes, that’s Ed’s son — and former side judge Alex Kemp will replace the longtime refs.
Congratulations to our 2 newest @NFL referees, former BJ Shawn Hochuli & former SJ Alex Kemp. Best wishes to our 2 retiring referees, Ed Hochuli & Jeff Triplette. pic.twitter.com/iEv6xOprkf
— Al Riveron (@alriveron) March 6, 2018
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Hochuli, 67, is known to fans as the guy with the guns — there’s even a Facebook page dedicated to his biceps. There are several other fan pages, YouTube compilations dedicated to the official, who has been with the NFL since 1990 (there’s one YouTube video titled “I Want to Be Ed Hochuli”).
Hochuli had been the longest-tenured referee, having been in his position since 2007, according to NBC Sports.
Fans were quick with the wit on Twitter at the news of Hochuli’s retirement.
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“Somebody told Ed Hochuli that the American debate over gun control was not about people wanting him to retire, right” one Twitter user said.
“Not the type of gun control I was looking for…..Ed Hochuli is taking his guns and calling it a career..” quipped another.
And this short and sweet line: “the guns have been holstered.”
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We’ll miss ya, Ed!
See below for more reactions.
Somebody told Ed Hochuli that the American debate over gun control was not about people wanting him to retire, right?
— David Ubben (@davidubben) March 6, 2018
Ed Hochuli enjoying retirement #NFL pic.twitter.com/TLW8baeeyp
— JCorrado (@ForzaCorrado) March 6, 2018
Ed Hochuli retiring? End of an era. That man has been refereeing my whole life.
— jaVe. (@javeauriel) March 6, 2018
[hour 3 of Ed Hochuli's retirement speech at the NFL offices]
HOCHULI: Therefore, having completed the process of my employment, I am permitted to engage in various other activities
look Ed, most people just send a letter
HOCHULI: These activities include, but are not limited to:— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) March 6, 2018
Wow. The legend Ed Hochuli hangs 'em up. Imagine how much bigger his arms are gonna get with all that free time? https://t.co/OhJ1gGeMhR
— Sosa (@SosaKre) March 6, 2018
The guns have been holstered. Ed Hochuli is retiring, @alriveron announces. Was known entering the playoffs before he did two postseason games.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 6, 2018
Not the type of gun control I was looking for…..Ed Hochuli is taking his guns and calling it a career..
— Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) March 6, 2018
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