Jim Tunney

Jim Tunney had a distinguished 40-year career in officiating football and basketball, including 31 years as an NFL referee. Known as the "Dean of NFL Referees," he officiated in a record twenty-nine post-season NFL games, including three Super Bowls, ten NFC/AFC Championship games, six Pro Bowls, and twenty-five Monday Night Games. His notable officiating includes "The Ice Bowl," "The Kick," "The 100th Bears-Packers Game," "The Snowball Game," "The Final Fumble," "The Fog Bowl," and "The Catch."

Tunney holds the honor of being the first official named to the "All-Madden Team" and has received the Gold Whistle from the National Association of Sports Officials. He is also a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Beyond his officiating career, Tunney has been actively involved in football affairs and educational initiatives, serving on Commissioner Tagliabue's Officiating 2000 Committee and as Vice Chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Northern California during the Sydney 2000 Games.

An accomplished author and speaker, Tunney has written and/or co-authored nine books including "Impartial Judgment: The Dean of NFL Referees Calls Pro Football As He Sees It," "Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul," "Speaking Secrets of the Masters," and "It's the Will, Not the Skill." He is a past president of the National Speakers Association, a charter member of the CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame, and holds every professional designation of the National Speakers Association, including the Cavett Award, the highest honor in professional speaking. His weekly newspaper column, "The Tunney Side of Sports," offers insights and observations on personal values and positive messages derived from sports issues.

Moreover, Tunney continues to influence through his philanthropic efforts. In 1993, he founded the Jim Tunney Youth Foundation to support local community programs that foster leadership, work skills, wellness, and self-esteem in youth. He remains engaged in his community as a Trustee of both Monterey Peninsula College and York School, the latter where he once served as Headmaster. He resides in Pebble Beach, California with his wife Linda, and they have six children and fifteen grandchildren. Tunney's professional activities also include public speaking, where he shares insights and philosophies on success and personal development with audiences around the world.