LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 22: A detailed view of an official Wilson NFL football with the Cincinnati Bengals logo before a game between the Bengals and Washington Football Team at FedExField on November 22, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
NFL referees during Thursday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins wore “CM” on their hats.
Week 10 of the NFL season officially began on Thursday night, as the Baltimore Ravens went on the road to take on the Miami Dolphins. The Ravens are looking to continue their climb up the AFC rankings, while the Dolphins were seeking to pull off the massive upset for their third win of the year.
During the game, the referees on the field were spotted wearing patches on their hats with the initials “CM.” As for what they stand for, we have you covered.
What does “CM” mean on NFL referee hats?
The “CM” patch on the hats is in tribute to former referee Carl Madsen, who passed away after working Week 7’s Kansas City Chiefs-Tennessee Titans game. Police say that Madsen died as he was driving home from the game in Nashville, Tenn.
Madsen 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,” NFL senior VP of officiating training and development Walt Anderson said in a statement, via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. “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 had served as an on-field referee from 1997 until 2008. Beginning in 2009, Madsen had been working as a replay official.