At Toyota, we’re committed to supporting our customers’ passions and hobbies, sponsoring more than 300 events per year from triathlons to snowboarding. And in everything we do, we strive to earn our customers’ trust for proven performance in the cars they rely upon to help them get all they can from their lives.
In this series, we’re pleased to share stories of proven performers who have inspired us. And we salute them for being just as passionate about what they do as we are.
Ask NFL referee Clete Blakeman. The Nebraska native’s devotion to playing sports while growing up led to a spot as quarterback for the University of Nebraska in the mid-1980s. Yet when it was time to hang up the helmet and head to law school, he refocused his talents as an official, eventually making a rapid rise through the ranks of the NFL — all while balancing a law career and family life. He spoke recently about the physical, mental and time commitments it takes to do the job well.
TOYOTA: YOU HAVE A LONG HISTORY AS AN ATHLETE. WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO OFFICIATING?
CLETE BLAKEMAN (CB): My father invited me to join his football crew the year I started law school. When I was growing up, my dad officiated at high school games in the area and I would trek along with him every Friday night. I was the little kid ball boy hanging around the sidelines at those games. When I decided to start officiating, I thought it would be a great opportunity to hang out with my dad and get a needed break from law school.
TOYOTA: YOUR JOURNEY AS AN OFFICIAL TOOK YOU THROUGH THE FOOTBALL RANKS. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
CB: I started with high school, and then did small college football in Nebraska. I worked the Big XII Conference from 2001 to 2007. During that time, I also worked three seasons in NFL Europe, which was a great way to learn and apply the NFL rules and, better yet, get a tour of Europe. In 2008, I was invited to join the NFL as a field judge.
TOYOTA: YOU’RE ONLY THE THIRD OFFICIAL TO MOVE TO THE TOP JOB AS REFEREE SO QUICKLY AFTER JOINING THE NFL.
CB: I was the benefi ciary of being at the right place at the right time and from having great mentors, including NFL Referee, Bill Leavy. He let me shadow him during the first two years that I was in the League and on his crew. NFL officials have fairly extensive meetings the day before the game with the NFL, media, and stadium representatives, so I was able to be part of those meetings without having to lead them. That made the switch to being in charge of a crew easier.
TOYOTA: WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE MOVING FROM COLLEGE TO PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL?
CB: There’s a learning curve to adapt to the specifics in the NFL. The skill and speed of the players is much greater. The rule book is much more intricate. I’m still learning some of the fine detail. I’ve got veteran guys on my crew, so we help each other out.
TOYOTA: WHAT MAKES A GOOD REFEREE?
CB: You have to have the right personality to maintain control, especially in the NFL when things are so fast and emotions can run high — you can’t get caught up in it. Plus, there’s no substitute for knowing the rule book. But, you have to have common sense also to know when to call a foul or when to pass on calling it.
TOYOTA: THE JOB IS PHYSICALLY VERY DEMANDING, AND YET YOUR TIME IS STRETCHED VERY THIN. IS IT A CHALLENGE TO STAY FIT AND NOT GET WRUNG OUT?
CB: I’m definitely drained after the game — physically and mentally. NFL studies show that we run between five and six miles a game. I feel that part of my paycheck relies on being in the best physical shape that I can be in. So, that is why regular gym workouts are so important to my weekly game preparation. But it’s not a big sea change for me, having been active in sports all my life. I’ve also started getting a weekly massage during the season. It helps my body recover more quickly.
My wife is a huge supporter of mine. She loves what I’m doing and being part of the NFL family. She will often travel with me to games and it’s so great to have her along since there are so many things that pull at my time during the season. Plus, she enjoys working out, staying fit, and eating right too. So, it’s a perfect blend.
TOYOTA: THE EFFORT SEEMS TO BE PAYING OFF.
CB: Being in shape plays into the mental side, and helps with alertness and focus. If I’m going to be able to do this into my 60s, I’m going to have to stay physically fit. After all — we officials get older, but the players are always same age.
