Dick Jorgensen

Richard M. Jorgensen (April 12, 1934 – October 10, 1990) was an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) for 22 years, through the 1989 season, the last 19 years as a referee.

Jorgensen's officiating career was highlighted by being selected to referee Super Bowl XXIV in January 1990. He was an alternate official for Super Bowl VIII in 1974 and Super Bowl XV in 1981.

Early life Born and raised in Neenah, Wisconsin, southwest of Green Bay, Jorgensen was a three-sport athlete at Neenah High School, where he starred in football and tennis. 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.

A shooting guard, Jorgensen played college basketball in the Big Ten Conference at the University of Wisconsin in Madison under hall of fame head coach Bud Foster. He was captain of the Badgers his senior year in 1956, graduated and served two years in the U.S. Navy, and married Adlon Dohme in 1959. Jorgensen began his NFL career in 1968 as a line judge. He was promoted to referee three years later in 1971 when his crew chief from 1970, 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 for Super Bowl XV).

Bank president Off the field, Jorgensen served as President of Marine Bank of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. He died five months later at age 56 on October 10 in Urbana, Illinois.

He and his wife Adlon had three daughters. Jorgensen was buried at Bailey Memorial Cemetery in Tolono.