Alberto "Al" Riveron (born 1960) is the Senior Director of Officiating of the
National Football League (NFL).
[1]
From the
2004 to the
2012 seasons, he served as an
on-field official for the league, wearing uniform number 57. He first served as a side judge
[2] before being promoted to referee (crew chief) in 2008 following the retirements of
Gerald Austin and
Larry Nemmers. Riveron was the first referee of
Hispanic origin in NFL history.
[2] He is originally from Cuba, having moved to the United States at the age of 5. He has a wife, Patricia, and two sons, Tyler (died 9/25/2016)
[3] and Austin.
[4]
Prior to the NFL, Riveron spent 15 years officiating games in
Conference USA and the
Big East. Riveron was the crew chief for the 2012
AFC Championship game between the
Baltimore Ravens and the
New England Patriots, and was the alternate referee of
Super Bowl XLVI.
On February 19, 2013, he was promoted to the league's Senior Director of Officiating, a newly created position as a second-in-command under the league's new Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino.
[1]
