Obituary for Jerry Thomas Seeman

Life Story for Jerry Thomas Seeman

Jerry Seeman attended Plainview High School in Plainview, Minnesota where he was a stand out athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. Later, while attending Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, he played quarterback for three years and played basketball for two years before graduating in 1957 with a degree in mathematics. While he was at Winona State he met his loving wife Marilyn of 57 years.
Jerry began his career in education as a Mathematics Teacher and Coach at Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville, MN. He then moved on to teach and coach basketball at Whitehall High School in Whitehall, WI; Central High School in LaCrosse, WI and Fridley High School in Fridley, MN. In 1969 Jerry moved into school administration as the Asst. Principal at Hopkins HS in Hopkins, MN. From 1970 – 1990 he served as TIES Coordinator/Director of Finance, Personnel for the Fridley Public Schools.
In addition to working in education, Jerry began officiating Football at the high school level in 1963. He went on to work small college football in the MIAC and NCC. In 1972, he accepted a position as an official in the Big Ten Conference where he would stay until being hired by the NFL in 1975.
In 1970 after a successful career as a basketball coach, Jerry retired from coaching and became a basketball official working at the high school and small college level for the next 21 years. In addition to working on the court, he was also the Minnesota State High School League’s lead basketball Rules Clinician and Supervisor.
Jerry began officiating in the NFL as a Line Judge/Head Linesman and in 1979 he was promoted to the head Referee position. During his career in the NFL, Jerry officiated 15 post season games including Super Bowls XXIII (San Francisco and Cincinnati) and XXV (Buffalo and Giants). In 1991 he was named Senior Director of Officiating for the NFL. Over the next ten years he was credited with implementing the modern day Instant Replay system and officials training program. On June 30, 2001, Jerry retired as Senior Director of Officiating and was later employed by the NFL as an observer.
Honors include the Winona State Hall of Fame, NFHS Hall of Fame, MSHSL Hall Fame, Sports Officials Medallion Award, Distinguished Alumnus Award Winona State University and NFFMN Legends Award. He was very active in Rotary and as a result of his service, was named a Paul Harris Fellow. Jerry was also a board member for the Unity Mercy Hospitals Foundation.
Jerry and Marilyn have three sons, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Son Jeff is currently an official in the NFL.
Jerry Seeman, age 77, died Sunday November 24th at his home in Blaine, Minnesota after a 3½ year battle with cancer.