Gerald Austin

About Gerald Austin

Dr. Gerald "Gerry" Austin (born c. 1941) was an American football official in the National Football League (NFL) since the 1982 NFL season. He wore unform number 34. Austin has officiated in three Super Bowls, two as a referee and one as a side judge. He was also notable being the referee in the 1993 AFC Wild Card playoff game between the Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills, which would later become known in NFL lore as "The Comeback" for being the greatest comeback by a team in league history. Austin's 2007 NFL officiating crew consists of Ruben Fowler, Ed Camp, Carl Johnson, Scott Edwards, Al Riveron, and Bob Lawing.

Austin has a bachelor's degree and master's degree from Western Carolina University and has a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is also a retired public school administrator for thirty years. Outside of officiating in the NFL, he is the coordinator of football officials for Conference USA. He resides in Summerfield, North Carolina and has six children.

Before joining the NFL, Austin served nine years as a basketball and football official in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He was assigned to officiate in the 1978 Liberty Bowl and the 1977 Orange Bowl.