Video: RIP Fred Silva

[FredFan7]

Six years ago today, Fred Silva passed away at age 77. I never met the man, but I really do miss him. I tried to copy his officiating mechanics to a "T" before I learned that I have to be myself.

Here's to Fred: bit.ly/hdkRaj

[bulldog6878]

I remember Fred Silva. He was a good referee

[JAYJAYSTRIPES]

That old hand clap as he signalled first down and Tommy Bell's hard chop on ready for play really stood out in my mind as distinctive gestures who told you who was working the game without even seeing the uniform number.
Ironically didn't Silva eventually have Bell's #7 at the end(?) of his career. I miss watching those guys work.

[Deleted]

The rest of the crew U Ralph Morcroft 15 ,
HL Norm Kragseth 65
LJ Jack Johnson 54
BJ Jim Kearney 107
SJ Bob Rice 80 U Jeff's 44 DAD
FJ Charley Musser 55

[howard63]

Fred Silva did indeed wear #7 the last few years of his career. He was a great referee.

[FredFan7]

Here's some more nice footage with Silva: bit.ly/dJaAxP

And here's a nice unofficial bio of Mr. Silva: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Silva

[FredFan7]

Dec 4, 2010 10:08:29 GMT -5 howard63 said:

Fred Silva did indeed wear #7 the last few years of his career. He was a great referee.

Mr. Silva broke into the league as #49, took #81 after the merger, took #7 in the 1979-81 numbering system and then kept from 1982 until his retirement in 1988.

[cj]

I liked Silva. He was always very calm in making his calls and none of this bs of selling the call and the historonics that went with it. I also like Dick Hantack for that reason...Silva also refereed one of the coldest games ever played in Cincinnati in the early 80's which was I believe an AFC playoff game when wind chill factors were about 20 below and they played anyway. A good choice of somebody to emulate, Fred.

[bulldog6878]

CJ, I believe you are referring to the Cincinatti/San Diego game in January 1982

[FredFan7]

Found this GREAT photo of Fred!

bit.ly/goLnjS