Michael “Mike” Carey has been a football official in the National Football League (NFL) since the 1990 NFL season. He began officiating football in 1972 working Pop Warner football games in the San Diego, California area. Later in 1985, he joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Carey was hired by the NFL in 1990 as a side judge before being promoted to referee for the start of the 1995 NFL season. He was the second Black official to become a referee after Johnny Grier in 1988. Mike served as an alternate referee for Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. Of all the active referees in the NFL, Carey has ejected the most players. On the field, he wears the uniform number 94.
On October 3, 2005, Mike and his brother, Don, an NFL official as well (back judge), became the first brothers to officiate an NFL game together when they were assigned on the same officiating crew for the game between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers.
Carey was the referee during the January 7, 2006 NFC wild card playoff game between the Washington Redskins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Late in the game, he ejected Redskin defensive back Sean Taylor for spitting at Bucs running back Michael Pittman.
Mike Carey was designated as referee of Super Bowl XLII in 2008 between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, becoming the first Black referee to receive the prestigious assignment. The National Football League selects its Super Bowl officials through an evaluation system. The highest-rated officials at each position, if they have five years NFL experience and previous playoff assignments, earn the chance to work the Super Bowl. He has worked 14 playoff games, including two conference championships in his 18 year career.
On working the NFL's championship game, Carey said it was a "personal honor" and understood the historical significance of being the first Black Super Bowl referee. On the significance of the event, he said it was a "great sign of the evolution of our society that all barriers are eroding". During the fourth quarter, Carey's judgement was a factor in one of the important plays of the game. On third down, with just over a minute left in regulation, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning received the snap in a shotgun formation and looked to pass the ball. New England Patriots defenders Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green, and Adalius Thomas grabbed and attempted to tackle Manning. Manning escaped the defenders and threw a 32-yard pass to wide receiver David Tyree. Under NFL rules, officials are required to stop play when a player is "in the grasp and control" of the defense. Carey determined that "grasp and control" was never achieved since Manning's forward momentum did not stop. Speaking about the play, Carey said, "I anticipated a sack. I didn't assume that was going to happen, but rarely do you see a quarterback escape when he's got that much weight on his back and being dragged by two or three guys who had a hold of him. I could see [Manning's] head was just straight ahead. He was trying to break free with desperation. Then all of a sudden he spun out and then he started to come right back at me." Carey was in perfect position and let the players play football thereby allowing one of the legendary plays in NFL history.
Carey was a college football running back for Santa Clara University for four years until an ankle injury ended his playing career. The injury continues to impact Carey today as it limits his running ability. He only allows himself to run on days he is scheduled to officiate games. Carey is respected in the NFL for his thorough pre-game preparation, professional demeanor, and fair play. In a poll conducted by ESPN in 2008, Carey tied with referee Ed Hochuli for most "best referee" votes among NFL head coaches. Carey's 2008 crew consists of Dan Ferrell, Dana McKenzie, Tom Barnes, Buddy Horton, Don Carlsen, and his brother Don Carey. Carey graduated from Santa Clara in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in biology.
Outside of football, Carey is a co-owner of Seirus Innovation, a privately held company that manufactures ski and snowboarding gloves, face protection, and other cold-weather accessories. He is an inventor who owns or shares eight ski apparel patents, including “Cat Tracks,” a protective device which he created at age 30 to slip over the sole of a ski boot, preventing damage away from the ski run. In September 2007, Mike Carey was named Chairman of the Board for SnowSports Industries America. As chair, his goal is to "get the suppliers, retailers, reps, media and resorts to come together as one community and work together, then we can create synergy to help strengthen the snow sports industry as a whole." Mike’s wife, Wendy, is the Chief Financial Officer of Seirus. Mike and Wendy have two daughters, Drisana and Danica, and currently reside in San Diego, California.
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