Longtime referees Ed Hochuli, Jeff Triplette retire
Two of the NFL's most recognizable faces - and biceps - will no longer grace its fields.
The NFL announced Tuesday that venerable referees Ed Hochuli and Jeff Triplette have retired.
NFL announces Ed Hochuli is retiring. One of the best, and most verbose, to ever do it. pic.twitter.com/Cu8uytj9OG
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) March 6, 2018
Hochuli is best known for his physique and penchant for explaining penalties to the nth degree, likely drawing from his other profession as an attorney.
He was first hired by the NFL in 1990 and served as head referee for five Super Bowls. He also took on a public role during the referee lockout in 2012.
Hochuli's son, Shawn, will be promoted to referee for the 2018 season.
Triplette is retiring after 22 years in the league. A referee since 1999, it was reported he would hang up his whistle after his poor performance in this year's AFC wild-card game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs.