NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has promoted Alberto Riveron, the league’s first Hispanic referee, to senior director of officiating.
Riveron was born in Cuba and moved to Miami with his family at age 5. He became a referee in 2008. He served four seasons as a side judge before that.
Riveron takes the newly created position as second in command of the department under new vice president of officiating Dean Blandino.
Blandino said Tuesday that Riveron did a “tremendous job as a referee and was quickly able to earn the respect of the players and coaches.”
Riveron’s last refereeing assignment was in Houston’s wild-card victory over Cincinnati last month. He also worked the AFC championship game last year in which New England defeated Baltimore.
