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Latino Daily News

Wednesday February 20, 2013

LATINOS IN SPORTS: First Hispanic Referee Promoted to Senior Director of Officiating

LATINOS IN SPORTS: First Hispanic Referee Promoted to Senior Director of Officiating

Photo: First Hispanic NFL Referee Alberto Riveron

Click Here to Enlarge Photo

The National Football League (NFL) made history today by promoting its first Latino referee to the position of senior director of officiating.

Cuban-born Alberto Riveron started as an NFL side judge and then became the leagues first Latino referee in 2008.  52-year-old Riveron is a rarity in the NFL as a high-ranking Latino official. 

Riveron, who wears uniform number 57, hails from Miami where his family moved to from Cuba when he was 5-years-old.  His refereeing career started modestly in local youth leagues and from there he started officiating college games.

His official duties as Sr. Director of Officiating will begin with the 2013 NFL season.