ST. LOUIS — Over 25 seasons as an NFL referee, Richard “Dick” Hantak has seen his fair share of great moments on the football field.
But of all the moments he officiated, nothing could top being a referee in the Super Bowl.
Hantak officiated Super Bowl XVII (1983, Miami vs. Washington) and Super Bowl XXVII (1993, Dallas vs. Buffalo). In 1983, he was on hand for one of the great rushing performances in Super Bowl history, John Riggins’ 166-yards vs. the Dolphins. As the lead referee in Super Bowl XXVII, he made the famous call on the Leon Lett goal-line fumble.
Hantak’s final season as an official was in 2002. The NFL chose him as an official for the playoffs in each of his 25 seasons.