Arthur Ignatius McNally was an American football executive who was director of officiating for the National Football League from 1968 to 1991.
15 Facts About Art McNally
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In 2022, Art McNally became the first NFL game official to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Art McNally was a native of Philadelphia born on July 1,1925.
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Art McNally graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1943, served in the Marines during World War II, before graduating from Temple University in Philadelphia.
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Art McNally was a teacher and coach in the Philadelphia school district at Central High School until his appointment as the NFL's supervisor of officials before the 1968 season.
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Art McNally refereed for a season in the National Basketball Association as reported by Sunday Today with Willie Geist.
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Art McNally was responsible for the scouting, screening, hiring, and grading of the seven-man crews that work each NFL game.
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Art McNally was instrumental in using game footage for the evaluation of game officials.
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Art McNally was succeeded by Jerry Seeman after the 1990 season.
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Art McNally continued to serve as a league consultant and game observer thereafter.
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Art McNally returned to the NFL front office in 1996 to work as an assistant supervisor of officials, a position he served in until 2008, before transitioning to an observer role for eight seasons.
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Art McNally was married to his first wife, Rita, until her death in 1981.
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Art McNally had four children - Zach, Jonah, Brayden, and Jake.
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Art McNally died at a hospice facility in Yardley, Pennsylvania, on January 1,2023, at the age of 97.
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At 96, Art McNally was the oldest person to be inducted during his lifetime.