Courtesy of Ferris State Athletic Communications

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Ferris State University alum Shawn Smith will be in the center of one of the largest sporting events in the world, serving as the lead on-field official for Super Bowl LX next month.

The NFL announced on Tuesday its officiating crew for the Feb. 8 game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California with Smith as referee.

Football Zebras, a news website that focuses on NFL officials, reports that Smith was the alternate referee for Super Bowls LV and LVIII, but the 2026 game will be his first on-field appearance at the championship.

Smith graduated from Ferris State in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in Accountancy.

He is in his 11th season as an NFL official and 8th as referee, which is the lead official, recognizable by the white cap. The referee manages the entire officiating crew, announces the penalties, and is the final authority on rulings.

The website noted that the Super Bowl will be Smith's 11th postseason assignment, including five Wild Card playoffs, three Divisional playoffs and two Conference Championships.

His first Conference Championship came in his third season — the earliest possible under assignment rules at the time — and he has been assigned to at least one playoff game every year he was eligible. He was promoted to referee in 2018.

Smith got his start officiating Pop Warner games in junior high school and also officiated flag football at Eastern Michigan University, according to Football Zebras.

Smith, who is from the Detroit area, was recruited to run track and play football at EMU before transferring to Ferris State.

While at Ferris State, he began to officiate high school football and skipped over Division III college football straight to Division II.

At the collegiate level, Smith officiated in Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, and the Big Ten Conference. He was hired by the NFL in 2025