Jerod Phillips

Jerod Phillips is a lifelong resident of Northeastern Oklahoma and a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He and his wife of 28 years, Alisha, have raised three adult sons—Trent, Ty, and Brady—and are the proud grandparents of their grandson, Kobe.

Jerod’s passion for sports sparked his officiating career in 1993, when he began working rural little league football games alongside his father. What started as a family pastime quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of excellence. Over the next three decades, Jerod advanced through the ranks—from junior college games to small college Division II schools, the Southland Conference, the Mountain West Conference, and the Big 12 Conference.

In 2016, Jerod achieved a lifelong dream when he joined the National Football League (NFL) as a Down Judge. Throughout his NFL career, he has officiated two Wild Card Playoff Games, two Divisional Playoff Games, and four Championship Games: the 2019 AFC, 2021 NFC, 2023 AFC, and 2024 NFC Championships. He was also selected as an Alternate Official for Super Bowl LV (55) in Tampa Bay and Super Bowl LVII (57) in Phoenix, Arizona. Beyond the field, Jerod contributes his expertise by helping supervise officials for the Big 12, Mountain West, and Conference USA.

Jerod serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and dedication—proof that even a small-town Native kid from rural Oklahoma can achieve greatness at the highest levels. As a school principal, he is deeply committed to the success of his students, encouraging them to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. His passion for athletics goes beyond the game; he believes sports help shape character, teaching essential life lessons about perseverance, discipline, and accountability.

Despite the opportunities his career could afford him across the nation, Jerod chooses to live and give back to the Native community where he grew up. His presence and leadership inspire countless students who see in him a reflection of what is possible with hard work and integrity.