Burl Toler was a field judge and head linesman throughout his career and is most notable for being the first African-American official in the NFL.
16 Facts About Burl Toler
1.
2.
Burl Toler attended the University of San Francisco and was a linebacker.
3.
Burl Toler was a member of the 1951 undefeated Dons football team of which three of his teammates would later be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after successful careers in the NFL: Gino Marchetti, Ollie Matson, and Bob St Clair.
4.
Burl Toler earned his degree in science from USF in 1952 and added a master's in 1966.
5.
Burl Toler was a 9th round draft pick for the Cleveland Browns.
6.
Burl Toler seriously injured his knee during a college all-star game that ended his football playing career, so he decided to become an official instead.
7.
Burl Toler was the first African-American to serve as a field official in a major American professional sports league when he was appointed by the NFL as a head linesman before the 1965 season.
8.
Burl Toler was the head linesman for the 1982 AFC Championship Game between the San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium.
9.
Burl Toler was the first black man to be an official in Super Bowl history.
10.
Burl Toler worked for 17 years at Benjamin Franklin Middle School in San Francisco as a teacher and as the district's first African American secondary school principal.
11.
Burl Toler was on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater the University of San Francisco from 1987 until 1998.
12.
Burl Toler was married in 1952 and had six children with his wife Melvia.
13.
Burl Toler has eight grandchildren and two brothers and one sister.
14.
Burl Toler died in Castro Valley, California on August 16,2009.
15.
Burl Toler's grandson, Burl Toler III, is an American football wide receiver.
16.
Burl Toler was signed by the San Jose Sabercats of the Arena Football League on October 17,2006, and spent several months on NFL team rosters from 2006 to 2008.