[ROBJETS]

2012-10-03-hoculi



5:30PM EST October 3. 2012 - In an NFL season where the officials have been the main story of the first four weeks, Ed Hochuli has been even more in the limelight than ever. Known for his physique and loquacious on-field explanations, Hochuli graces the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated in a feature about the return of the league's regular refs.

Throughout his reporting of the piece, writer Steve Rushin uncovered a few facts that most people didn't know about the 61-year-old Phoenix resident.

1) Hochuli's grandchildren have their own football-related nickname for him.

The referee's ten grandchildren refer to him as "Papa T," which is short for Papa Touchdown. Hochuli can be sure that he'll be hearing that nickname plenty on the field in weeks to come.

2) He spends 100 hours a week on the job, splitting 50 hours each between his law firm and his NFL duties.

The Canadian man who won $725,000 on the officiating error in the Week 3 Green Bay - Seattle game should be thankful that the replacement officials didn't work quite so hard.

3) The man known for his massive biceps has no idea how much weight he can bench press.
Despite spending two hours a day in the gym, Hochuli told the magazine "I don't know how much I can lift because if I can't lift it six times I'll reduce the weight. I don't want to lift 300 pounds. At my age, my joints can't take it."

4) Hochuli has an affinity for Cheetos.
He claims the snack food is his "Kryptonite" while maintaining an otherwise strict diet, saying that "You'll know why," if his uniform is ever covered in orange dust. We'd rather see him dance like this at midfield.

http://www.usatoday....chdown/1611231/