Former NFL ref Carollo honored by peers

Two-time Super Bowl referee Bill Carollo has been honored by the National Football League Referees Association.

The organization chose Carollo, who worked 20 years in the NFL and retired in 2008, on Wednesday. The award recognizes an NFL official's outstanding career on the field and in support of the NFLRA.

One of 22 NFL game officials to work 10 or more championship or Super Bowl games, Carollo joined the league's officiating staff in 1989 as a side judge. He moved to the referee position in 1996, where he remained until his retirement.

Carollo refereed the 30th and 37th Super Bowls. He now is coordinator of football officials for the Big Ten, Mid-American and Missouri Valley conference.

Carollo also played a key role in labor negotiations between the league and the NFLRA in 2001 and 2006.

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