Kent Payne typically watches the Super Bowl much the same way as most football fans: lounging on the living room couch, eating pizza.
Not this year. Super Bowl XLV was anything but typical for the Nebraska Wesleyan University alum.
Payne, a seven-year veteran of the NFL officiating crew, was selected as the head line judge for one of the world鈥檚 biggest sporting events.
鈥淚t was the call I鈥檝e been waiting for,鈥 Payne said of the call that came January 17. 鈥淚t almost didn鈥檛 feel real.鈥
In reality, Payne was not too surprised by the call. Only those NFL officials who score highest in a rigorous, season-long evaluation win the right to work the Super Bowl. His score of 99.32 out of 100 secured his selection to the big game.
As head line judge, Payne led the chain crew. He counted offensive players before each play and watched for illegal formations, false starts and offside penalties. After the snap, he transitioned to different responsibilities on running and passing plays.
His Super Bowl weekend at Cowboys Stadium included pregame meetings, a lengthy practice of the coin toss, and celebratory functions. The hoopla with this particular game outshined his regular-season duties.
鈥淚 get nervous before every game,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut there was more pressure with this game. Once we get to kickoff, it鈥檚 a game. It鈥檚 what we鈥檙e there for.鈥
Payne got his start in Coach Harold Chaffee鈥檚 officiating class. Once he learned the basics, he officiated the university鈥檚 intramural games. His real passion for athletics was demonstrated on the basketball court. Nicknamed 鈥淏uckets鈥 for his ability to score baskets 鈥 he鈥檚 still among the top scorers of all time in Nebraska high school basketball 鈥 Payne was a standout on Nebraska Wesleyan鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball team. He is a member of Nebraska Wesleyan鈥檚 athletic hall of fame as part of the 1984-85 team.
鈥淏eing a part of athletics at Nebraska Wesleyan prepared me for what I鈥檓 doing now,鈥 said the St. Paul, Neb. native. 鈥淚 know the ups and downs of being an athlete. I learned not to let myself get too high or too low.鈥
Today, Payne balances his officiating duties with his job as a middle school math and science teacher in Aurora, Colo. He commends his school for allowing him the flexibility to officiate four pre-season and 15 regular-season games each year.
鈥淚t takes a lot of balancing,鈥 said Payne, who spends time nearly every evening during football season mentally and physically preparing for a NFL game. 鈥淚f you enjoy something, you find a way to make it work.鈥
His officiating duties have provided him the opportunity to meet many athletes and coaches over the years. In addition to the Super Bowl, Payne counts two NFC playoff games among his most memorable.
鈥淭he athletes respect the job we have,鈥 Payne said of the players. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e professional for a variety of reasons.鈥
As for those angry fans:
鈥淭hey don鈥檛 know what goes into preparing for a game,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 just show up on Sunday.鈥
Now Payne will enjoy the offseason, which will be highlighted by a Super Bowl ring presentation later this spring.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the ultimate,鈥 Payne said of the ring. 鈥淭hat will be a prized possession.鈥