Art McNally Dies at Age 97; 1st On-Field Official Inducted into Pro Football HOF

The official of the Pro Football Hall of Fame passed away.

The first on-field official to be in the hall of fame was McNally. According to Tom, his father died of natural causes at a hospital near his home.

The epitome of integrity and class was described by the NFL commissioner. He was respected by the entire football community. He was the first game official to be in the hall of fame. He was a member of the Hall of Fame.

Over the course of 50 years in the National Football League, McNally worked as an on-field official, head of officials, and an adviser to the league. After nine years on the field, he took over the department in 1968. He was praised for modernizing the way games are called.

Jim Porter said that Art McNally was a quiet, honest man. It was a pleasure to see Art recognized for his decades of service as part of the Class of 2022. His legacy as a strong leader who helped ushered in the advanced training of officials and the technology needed to keep up with a faster and more complicated game will be preserved in Canton.

The league changed how officials are positioned to work a game and what calls they make to establish consistency. All-22 game film was used to create an evaluation system for officials. He made training videos and rules quizzes to improve his skills.

Dean Blandino, one of the successors as the NFL's head of officiating, said prior to the hall of fame ceremony that Art came in and understood that this was something that was needed. Every sport has an evaluation system that goes back to Art.

The first use of instant replay in the National Football League was implemented by McNally. In 1986 he worked the Super Bowl as a replay official. He helped advise his successors when instant replay came back in 1999.

Ed Hochuli said this summer that he just wanted to get it right. That was defined by art. There is a picture of art in the definition of integrity.