Well now, let me tell y’all about this feller named Clete Blakeman. He’s a big name when it comes to football, though not as a player, mind ya. Nope, he’s one of them referees, and he’s been around the National Football League (NFL) for quite a spell. Born on June 23, 1964, Clete sure made a name for himself in the world of football officiating. His uniform number’s 34, and let me tell ya, it’s a number folks remember.
Now, Clete wasn’t always a referee. He grew up out in the good ol’ town of Norfolk, Nebraska. Went to Norfolk High School and graduated in 1983. From there, he went on to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. It wasn’t no fancy-schmancy job at first, though. He played college football and was a backup quarterback for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Didn’t start in them big games, no sir, but he learned a lot about the game and what it took to be a leader. Played through them seasons of 1986 and 1987 behind the starting quarterback, Steve Taylor. Not a bad gig, but not the big time either.
But Clete didn’t let that stop him. He worked his way up, got himself involved in the NFL, and eventually became one of the most well-known referees out there. If you’ve watched football, you’ve probably seen him on the field. He’s been callin’ the shots for many years now, and folks know him as a fair and honest feller, which, in a game like football, is mighty important. And, if you’re wonderin’, he ain’t just doing this for fun – he gets paid good for it, too. From what I’ve heard, he makes around $200,000 a year just from officiating in the NFL! Now that’s a lotta dough for blowin’ that whistle, I reckon.
On top of that, Clete’s got himself a law firm in Omaha, where he works as a partner and personal injury attorney. That’s where he makes another $100,000 a year. A feller’s gotta stay busy, and Clete surely does. He ain’t no one-trick pony. He’s got his foot in more than one door, I’ll tell ya that.
But don’t go thinkin’ Clete’s all about the money. He’s well-respected in the world of football for his integrity and fairness. The man knows the game, knows what’s right, and he ain’t afraid to make the tough calls. In fact, he was the referee for a big game in 2019 when the Detroit Lions lost to the Green Bay Packers. There were plenty of eyes on that game, and folks watched closely to see what kinda calls Clete would make. It wasn’t no easy game to officiate, but Clete handled it just fine.
Even though he’s up there in the NFL, Clete ain’t forgotten where he came from. He’s got his roots in Nebraska, and he’s proud of ‘em. He may be out there on them big NFL fields, but at the end of the day, he’s still got a heart for the people he grew up with. And if you ask around, you’ll hear the same thing from folks who know him: Clete Blakeman’s a stand-up guy. He works hard, plays fair, and does what’s right. Can’t say that about everyone these days, but it sure fits ol’ Clete.
So, if you ever see that number 34 out there on the field, know that it’s Clete Blakeman, and he’s makin’ sure the game’s played right. And if you ever find yourself in need of a good lawyer, well, looks like he’s got that covered too. Ain’t too many folks got both of them things goin’ on like he does. Clete Blakeman’s made himself quite the name in the world of football and law, and he’s one of the best at what he does.
Tags: [Clete Blakeman, NFL referee, football officiating, Nebraska Cornhuskers, NFL career, sports officials, NFL referees, personal injury attorney, Clete Blakeman biography]
