Detroit Super Bowl LX official says prominence reinforces city pride

April 15, 2026

Shawn Smith, a Detroit native who graduated from Cody High School and Ferris State University, made history in February by becoming only the fourth Black referee to officiate a Super Bowl in NFL history. The Detroit City Council honored Smith with a testimonial resolution on Tuesday, celebrating his achievement and his unwavering commitment to his hometown. Smith began his NFL career as an umpire in 2015, advanced to referee in 2018, and worked as an alternate at previous Super Bowls before earning the lead officiating role for Super Bowl LX.

Who is affected

Shawn Smith (honoree and Super Bowl LX referee)
Detroit City Council members (James Tate, Denzel McCampbell, Angela Whitfield-Calloway, and Latisha Johnson)
Young people across Detroit who view Smith as a role model
The Herman Gardens community and Cody High School
Detroit residents who celebrated Smith's achievement

What action is being taken

No ongoing actions are explicitly described in the article. The article describes a completed event (the Tuesday council meeting honoring Smith) and past achievements.

Why it matters

Smith's achievement represents significant progress in diversity within NFL officiating, as he became only the fourth Black referee in league history to work the Super Bowl. His success story demonstrates to young people in Detroit that hard work and commitment can lead to reaching the highest levels of professional achievement. Smith serves as an important role model for the community, particularly for youth from similar backgrounds, showing that opportunities exist beyond playing professional sports. His loyalty to Detroit despite achieving national prominence reinforces the importance of staying connected to one's roots and community.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com