Steve Freeman
Encyclopedia
Steven Jay Freeman is a former American football
defensive back
.
After playing college football
at Mississippi State University
, he was selected by the National Football League
's New England Patriots
in the 1975 NFL Draft
. However, he was released by the Patriots before the start of the regular season, and eventually signed with the Buffalo Bills
. Freeman spent 12 season with Buffalo, compiling 23 career interceptions and three touchdowns. In 1980 alone, he intercepted seven passes for 107 yards and one touchdown. He spent his last NFL season, 1987, with the Minnesota Vikings
after being traded by the Bills.
After retiring as a player, Freeman became an American football official
, working in college football
's Southeastern Conference
and NFL Europe before joining the NFL in 2001 as a back judge. As an official, he wears uniform number 133 and is on the officiating crew headed by referee Jeff Triplette
.
One of Freeman's teammates in Buffalo was linebacker Jim Haslett
, who later became head coach of the New Orleans Saints
. Despite the fact the two men were teammates for several seasons, Freeman was not prohibited from working Saints games during Haslett's six-year tenure as the Saints coach from 2000-2005. While in the SEC, Freeman was prohibited from working Mississippi State games, as league rules do not allow officials to work games involving their alma mater.
Freeman currently resides in Mississippi
and is married and has three children. Freeman's son, Brad, was a four-year letter man on the Mississippi State baseball team and helped the Bulldogs reach the College World Series
in 1997 and 1998, and is now a field judge in the SEC.
Freeman's head referee in his crew is Jeff Triplette who was the very controversial referee in the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
.
After playing college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, he was selected by the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
in the 1975 NFL Draft
1975 NFL Draft
The 1975 National Football League Draft was held on January 28–29, 1975.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
. However, he was released by the Patriots before the start of the regular season, and eventually signed with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Freeman spent 12 season with Buffalo, compiling 23 career interceptions and three touchdowns. In 1980 alone, he intercepted seven passes for 107 yards and one touchdown. He spent his last NFL season, 1987, with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
after being traded by the Bills.
After retiring as a player, Freeman became an American football official
Official (American football)
In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game.During professional and college football games, seven officials operate on the field...
, working in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
's Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
and NFL Europe before joining the NFL in 2001 as a back judge. As an official, he wears uniform number 133 and is on the officiating crew headed by referee Jeff Triplette
Jeff Triplette
Jeff Triplette is an official in the National Football League since the 1996 season. He wears uniform number 42. His 2011 NFL officiating crew consists of umpire Jeff Rice, head linesman Phil McKinnely, line judge Jeff Bergman, field judge Barry Anderson, side judge Dave Wyant and back judge Steve...
.
One of Freeman's teammates in Buffalo was linebacker Jim Haslett
Jim Haslett
James Donald "Jim" Haslett is an American football coach and former linebacker. He is currently the defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins. Previously, he served as the head coach for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League, and the New Orleans Saints and St...
, who later became head coach of the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
. Despite the fact the two men were teammates for several seasons, Freeman was not prohibited from working Saints games during Haslett's six-year tenure as the Saints coach from 2000-2005. While in the SEC, Freeman was prohibited from working Mississippi State games, as league rules do not allow officials to work games involving their alma mater.
Freeman currently resides in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
and is married and has three children. Freeman's son, Brad, was a four-year letter man on the Mississippi State baseball team and helped the Bulldogs reach the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
in 1997 and 1998, and is now a field judge in the SEC.
Freeman's head referee in his crew is Jeff Triplette who was the very controversial referee in the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game.