Jack Reader had been a part of the National Football League since forty years by the time of that interview and he had been one of the pioneers, who had helped to create Super Bowl.

It was the 15nth of January in 1967, when the Green Bay Packers scored a historical 35-10 against the Kansas City Chiefs in front of 61.946 in Los Angeles to win Super Bowl as the very first team in NFL history.

NFL Europe back in 2001

... and perhaps some will remember the 15nth of January in 1967, when the Green Bay Packers scored a historical 35-10 against the Kansas City Chiefs in front of 61.946 spectators in Los Angeles.

Quarterback Bart Starr from the Packers was the MVP on the field and Jack Reader and his NFL colleagues had started one of the biggest sports events of all times.

For sure such an outstanding personal background qualifies for a clear comment on the situation of the NFL in Europe as he had been critical with smaller crowds in Berlin, Scotland and Barcelona pointing at them as challenges for the NFL Europe management.

Before the interview he must have had a bit of mileage left behind on that busy day during the 1999 NFL Europe season, when he had to supervise the derby between Galaxy and Fire.

Every field goal one barrel of beer had been an idea, that had appealed to him a lot more than the parking situation and other less convincing encounters around the stadiums.

Overall he had liked the Frankfurt Galaxy and Rhein Fire a lot, whilst the other teams had failed to impress the expert visitor and Football messenger.

Meanwhile the NFL is working hard on expansion plans to extend the really short season.

At a recent press conference at Rhein Fire Doug Quinn had introduced the new management with John Beake, who had led the Broncos twice to Super Bowl wins and Jim Connelly, who is bringing in 16 years of commercial experience inside the NFL from his stays in Japan and at other locations.

A great rise at the Claymores in week 1 of season 2001 with 16.000 fans and some 31.000 for a start at Rhein Fire are some indicators that show the great potential involved.

A second team in Spain, one in France, Italy, Austria and in Switzerland. All would be great.

Russia, Poland and other Eastern countries could also join to make a real European League which would then create a major impact resulting in larger media attention.

Anyway, not an easy mission for the new NFL Europe League management, but great prospects surely exist.

What a man ...

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jack Reader, who spent nearly 50 years in NFL officiating and worked two Super Bowls, has died. He was 82.

He died of cancer in Hingham, Mass., on Nov. 10, a day before his birthday, the NFL said Tuesday.

Reader was the back judge in the first and third Super Bowls. He was a referee and back judge in the AFL and NFL from 1960-74 before joining the officiating department as a supervisor. He held various supervisory jobs until 2000 and was an observer for the officiating department from 2001-06.

Reader was born in Lawrence, Mass., and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He played football at Holy Cross, graduating in 1950.

He is survived by two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.

A Click here or on the Jack Reader photo takes right away to the Video Interview and the NFL Europe coverage at web62.com Internet Television.