NFL's 1st all-Black officiating crew to work Bucs-Rams game

Monday night's matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams will mark a historic milestone for the NFL, as the league has assembled an all-Black officiating crew for the first time.

"This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of Black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game," NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

The crew will be led by referee Jerome Boger, who's in his 17th year as an official. He'll be joined by umpire Barry Anderson, down judge Julian Mapp, line judge Carl Johnson, side judge Dale Shaw, field judge Anthony Jeffries, and back judge Greg Steed.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL assembled its officiating crews this season based on home geography to give officials the option of driving to games rather than flying. Johnson and Steed were pulled from other crews to work Monday's game.

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