Ronnie, Allen & Rusty Baynes Give a Sideline View of NFL Officiating

RCB President Bruce Rogers is greeted by club members with a traditional standing ovation during his first meeting of the club year.

During the July 12th meeting, the Rotary Club of Birmingham (RCB) welcomed former NFL official Ronnie Baynes along with his sons Rusty and Allen Baynes, who are both current NFL officials. The trio discussed how they climbed from calling high school games through experience in multiple conferences to reach the highest levels of football officiating in the NFL. Rusty and Allen painted their experiences as Super Bowl officials as the pinnacles of their careers. They shared their takes on the highs and lows of the sport and provided humorous outtakes engaging with the most impressive and colorful coaches and players throughout their time on the field.

Backgroung for ROnnie, Rusty & Allen Baynes

Ronnie Baynes coached baseball, taught high school, and officiated high school & SEC sports prior to his retirement. He served as a NFL official 1987-2024 and was NFL’s supervisor of officials. Allen Baynes has been a NFL Side Judge since 2008 and officiated Super Bowl LVIII. Rusty Baynes has been a NFL Line Judge and Referee since 2004 and officiated Super Bowls XLIX, L and LV. Allen and Rusty previously officiated in CUSA, NFL-Europe, AFL, AF2 and AHSAA. All three have been inducted into the Alabama Sports Officials Hall of Fame. Ronnie’s son Mark is also an official with the ACC.