A Pierre native will be involved with the NFL, starting with the 2022 season.

Brandon Cruse, who has served for the last several seasons as a college football referee, was recently named as an NFL umpire, one of 10 new officials set to enter the league this coming season.

Cruse, who was a starting quarterback in football and a basketball starter for the Pierre Governors, first officiated junior high, then high school football games while attending South Dakota School of Mines.  Most recently, he has refereed games in the Big 12 Conference.  On January 11, 2021, Cruse was the referee for the BCS National Championship Game between Alabama and Ohio State.  He also was the referee for the 2020 Rose Bowl, when Oregon met Wisconsin, and the 2018 Peach Bowl, with Central Florida playing Auburn.

Cruse said that he is thrilled to have this chance.

When asked if there was any sort of formal interview by the NFL, Cruse said that there really wasn’t.

Cruse acknowledged the journey he has made to come to this opportunity.

Cruse was asked what will be the largest difference from college football to the NFL.

How does Cruse figure he will feel when he works his first NFL game?



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By admin