Brad Allen

A native of Lumberton, North Carolina (and a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, formerly Pembroke State University), Allen began officiating football games at the high school, and later, ACC, levels. When he made his NFL officiating debut in 2014, he was originally going to be an umpire, but when long-time referee Mike Carey announced his retirement on June 24, 2014, Allen was given the referee position instead; this was the first time since 1962 that an NFL official in his first year of officiating was given that honor (Tommy Bell was the last NFL official to do so).

He called the 2007 Motor City Bowl, the 2009 International Bowl, the 2012 Rose Bowl and the 2014 Sugar Bowl.

During the 2023 season, he drew widespread attention when the officiating crew he led made a number of questionable calls. Most infamously, on December 30 in a Detroit Lions game against the Dallas Cowboys, his crew nullified a Detroit 2-point conversion in the game's final minute, as Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who made the two-point conversion, was flagged for illegal touching. After the game, a video was released showing Decker telling Allen that he was an eligible receiver, however, Allen stated that it was Dan Skipper who reported, as the latter made a hand gesture. Skipper later denied reporting to Allen as an eligible receiver. It ultimately led to Detroit losing the game to the Cowboys. The penalty was abhorred by both Lions fans and the media. That, and several other controversial calls during the 2023-24 season, led the NFL to downgrade the crew and prevent them from officiating playoff games.

Outside of officiating NFL games, Allen is executive director of the N.C. Senior Games, and the CEO of a non-profit. He also serves as clinic leader and booking supervisor for the Southern Officials Association.

Source:

• R: Brad Allen
• U: Duane Heydt
• DJ: Sarah Thomas
• LJ: Walter Flowers
• FJ: Rick Patterson
• SJ: Boris Cheek
• BJ: Greg Yette
• RO: Kirt Shay
• RA: Brian Davies