Its not often (if ever) that you have 98 years of NFL experiance on the field to officiate a High School Football game.
But it happened, yesterday, in Portland Oregon.
Vern Marshall Sr with 50 years of officiating, 13 in the NFL worked his last game Friday afternoon. Vern was deiagnosed with pancreatic cancer recently and it is spreading fast. Doctors give him 2 to 6 months. However Vern being the man he is, wanted work one last game. To his suprise and event unfolded that he could have never imagined.
The assigned crew 4-Man gathered at the field dressing room for the usual pregame. 5 minutes into the pregame the school AD came into the locker room with three auto license tags saying they would have to move there cars, they were parked in a tow away FIRE zone. The assigned U and HL left the room to go move there cars leaving just Vern and his son Vern Marshall Jr. (who worked the LJ slot). Moments later and in walked five former NFL buddies of Vern's led by Number 43, Red Cashion. They all dressed in full NFL regailia and hit the field, but not before, led by Vern, walking through "tunnel" of approximatly 150 applauding officials most wearing stripped shirts to get onto the field. (Lots of hand shaking and hugs, but not alot of dry eyes)
Vern worked the first series which ended in a final touchdown signal from Vern. Vern had to leave the field at this point but not before tipping his hat to the applauding crowd.

The game was played between Madison High School and Vern's alma matter Roosevelt High School. (Madison won 34-6)

It was a sight I will probably never witness again.
Nothing but class...

I have attached this link.
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/ore...1817255961.xml

Los Angeles Times Pick up the story
 

This is the Los Angeles Times version


The complete article can be viewed at:

http://www.latimes.com/la-sp-adande4nov04,0,1424065.column




[Edited by KWH on Nov 6th, 2002 at 01:17 PM]

And,
 

I find myself fortunate to have worked basketball games with not only Vern but also two of his crew, John Alderton and Nate Jones.

Vern is a fine man as are the others.

Great article in Januarys Referee magazine
 

Vern passed away December 5th.
There is a great article about his last game (November 1st) in this months January 2003 Referee Magazine, Pages 60, 61 and 62.