Super Bowl XLIX Officiating Crew Revealed: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Less than two weeks before the biggest game of the year, the NFL has announced the officiating crew that will work the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.  

According to Brian McIntyre of NFL.com, Bill Vinovich will be the referee leading the crew and is one of three on the staff working their first Super Bowl:

Vinovich will be working his second Patriots game this postseason. His first came in the divisional round against Baltimore, which included some controversy after the game was over.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh felt some of the Patriots' formations and eligible receivers were illegal, but the NFL reviewed the incident and deemed that New England was in compliance with the rules. 

Even though Vinovich's crew isn't working the Super Bowl, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post did note he didn't call a lot of penalties during the regular season:

"

Bill Vinovich will referee Super Bowl XLIX. Vinovich’s crew called the fifth-fewest penalties of 17 crews in regular season (14 per game).

— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) January 20, 2015"

In an ideal world, no one will have any idea who the guys wearing the striped shirts are on February 1. The Patriots and Seahawks are the two best franchises in the NFL today. Their matchup will be as anticipated as any in recent Super Bowl history, so making sure they decide the outcome is all anyone can hope for. 

All of the officials have worked games involving these two teams and have some understanding of how they play. The NFL puts its best foot forward in the Super Bowl. Everyone working the big game has postseason experience and won't be overwhelmed by the stage.