Art McNally

Arthur Ignatius McNally (July 1, 1925 – January 1, 2023) was an American professional football executive who was director of officiating for the National Football League (NFL) from 1968 to 1991. Before becoming director of officiating—succeeding Mark 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 3,000 football, baseball, and basketball games, which included one year in the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2022, McNally became the first NFL game official to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Biography McNally was a native of Philadelphia born on July 1, 1925. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1943, served in the Marines during World War II, before graduating from Temple University in Philadelphia. He was a teacher and coach in the Philadelphia school district at Central High School until his appointment as the NFL's supervisor of officials before the 1968 season.

McNally was succeeded by Jerry Seeman after the 1990 season. After retiring as director of officiating, McNally accepted the position as Supervisor of Officials for the World 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. He married his second wife, Sharon, in 1986.

McNally died at a hospice facility in Yardley, Pennsylvania, on January 1, 2023, at the age of 97. At 96, McNally was the oldest person to be inducted during his lifetime. Enshrined to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, 1987. First recipient of the Gold Whistle Award, National Association of Sports Officials, 1988. Inducted to the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first game official to be enshrined in Canton. Inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.