NFL official Carl Paganelli is retiring after 25 years in the league, starting his tenure in professional football in 1999. 

Paganelli, 65, was a full-time umpire in the NFL for the last 25 seasons, working under some of the most revered referees in league history including Gene Steratore, Ron Torbert, Phil Luckett, and Walt Anderson. 

Paganelli’s career highlights include being on the field for 22 playoff games, including four Super Bowls, ranging from 2005 through 2014. 

The umpire became the first NFL official to work four Super Bowls in the 21st century.  

To replace Paganelli, the NFL hired Brandon Ellison, the son of longtime league umpire Roy Ellison, per Football Zebras.

Brandon Ellison’s hire gives the NFL six new officials for the 2025 season. 

NFL official Carl Paganelli is retiring after 25 years in the league, starting his tenure in 1999

Paganelli had to sit out the end of the 2024 season after colliding with a Tampa Bay Buccaneer

Paganelli is a retired probation officer, and had to sit out the end of the 2024 season after colliding with a player while he tried to catch a ball coming in from the sideline during last September’s matchup between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Paganelli was looked at by the Panthers’ medical staff on the field during what ended up being the last NFL game he ever officiated.

Paganelli had two family members who were NFL officials before him retire in Perry Paganelli and Dino Paganelli. 

Carl and Perry Paganelli became the first brothers to work the same Super Bowl in 2007, when a Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts team defeated the Chicago Bears.

His father, Carl Paganelli Sr., is a member of the Arena Football Hall of Fame, which had its last induction in 2015.