Jerry Markbreit

Jerry Markbreit's position as Trade and Barter Manager for 3M Company was unique in the business world. That position, combined with his experience as one of only sixteen National Football League Referees, has given him the background to develop an interesting and worthwhile message for professional groups.

Markbreit has retired from the 3M Company after 38 years. In his position, he daily negotiated and traded millions of dollars of advertising, media time, materials, etc. with businesses throughout the world.

After officiating football for nine years, Markbreit became a member of the Big Ten Football officiating staff. His most memorable games in the Big Ten include:
The 1996 Notre Dame/Michigan State National Championship Game (10-10) tie
The 1972 Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Michigan
Six Ohio State/Michigan games, including the 1971 (10-7) Michigan victory when Woody Hayes stormed the field in his first national tirade.

Markbreit wrote a weekly football column for the Chicago Sun Times for several years while working college football; and in 1973 wrote The Armchair Referee. In 1988 his autobiography entitled, Born to Referee was published by William Morrow Company. He also wrote an Internet column for the Chicago Tribune under ChicagoSports.com.

Markbreit is best known as on of the most popular NFL referees today. 1998 was his 23rd and final season in the league. His career reads like a history book - refereeing Superbowls 17, 21, 26, and 29 also refereeing 8 Championship Games.

In 2000, Jerry Markbreit was inducted into the B'nai B'rith Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Washington, DC.

Markbreit is still very much involved in the league, as he served as an instant replay official for two years following his retirement as an active official, and currently works as an associate supervisor and head trainer for NFL referees.