Longtime NFL official Carl Madsen dies at 71 following Chiefs-Titans Week 7 matchup

Tragedy struck the NFL officiating family this past Sunday, as replay official Carl Madsen died while returning home from the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans matchup in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 71 years old. 

“Carl Madsen was an NFL officiating fixture for more than two decades, first as a highly respected on-field official before transitioning to a replay role beginning in 2009,” Senior VP of officiating training and development Walt Anderson said in a statement. “A terrific friend and colleague, Carl’s love of football and dedication to officiating was ever-present, as he generously shared his time to mentor young officials at clinics across the country. A veteran of the Air Force, Carl had a tremendous spirit and will be greatly missed.”

Madsen worked as an on-field and off-field official for nearly 25 years. According to NFL.com, he spent 12 seasons as an on-field referee from 1997 to 2008 before transitioning to replay official in 2009.

NFL Referees Association president Scott Green also released a statement on the passing of Madsen, per Pro Football Talk.

“Carl will be missed by those who worked with him on the field and in replay,” Green said. “He had a nickname among his fellow officials of “Big Country” which was not only related to his size but to his big personality as a warm and generous man.”

The details surrounding Madsen’s death are unknown. He was among the most experienced of the league’s replay officials.