Ron Cherry Wikipedia: Legendary Former ACC Referee. Ron Cherry, a highly known college football referee, recently retired after a tremendous career spanning more than 25 years. His strong appearance on the field propelled him to prominence among college football officials. Cherry oversaw several high-profile games, including the 2009 BCS National Championship. In 2007, he made global headlines by imitating Ben Dreith’s legendary “giving him the business” call during a personal foul pronouncement. Despite occasional conflicts, he was usually regarded as an outstanding referee.
Notably, the 2013 Fiesta Bowl highlighted Cherry’s ability by emphasizing his team’s critical call throughout the game. Beyond the pitch, Cherry was known for his charm, with many characterizing him as the closest thing referees had to a rock star. Cherry’s most noteworthy moment came during a 2007 game between Maryland and NC State when he called the historic “quote of the year”: “Personal foul.” 69. Offense. He was handing him the business. “Replay the down.” This call has become memorable in college football history. Despite this, Cherry’s career ended prematurely in 2016 due to a collision during a game between Notre Dame and USC.
Ron Cherry Wikipedia: Retirement, Overcoming Adversity, and Legacy
Ron Cherry’s career took an unexpected turn at the age of 60 or 65 when he had a brain injury during the USC-Notre Dame game, necessitating emergency neurosurgery. According to ESPN, despite the defeat, he resigned graciously, taking on a new job as an advisor and assistant to Dennis Hennigan, the ACC coordinator of officials.
Cherry commented on the difficulties, saying, “I was going to [retire] the next year anyway, but you get knocked on your ass.” Ron Cherry refereed more than 300 Division I games, establishing a lasting impact. Aside from the noteworthy calls, he impacted a generation of officials and played an important role in providing possibilities for Black officials. Despite being most known for a single call, Cherry remains modest, valuing the varied experiences and friendships he gained during his incredible career.
On-Field Impact: A Critical Moment in the Notre Dame-USC Game
Ron Cherry suffered a severe injury during the third quarter of the Notre Dame-USC game on November 26. In pursuit of a sack, USC linebacker Michael Hutchings accidentally smacked Cherry with his helmet as Cherry signaled the play dead. Cherry was knocked unconscious as a result of the incident. Following the event, Cherry was promptly assessed for a concussion at a Los Angeles hospital.
According to sources, following the examination, medical experts discharged him the same night for home care. His ailments included headaches and foot weakness, which prompted his admittance to Gwinnett Medical Centre in Lawrenceville, Georgia. A CT scan at the medical center discovered a blood clot that required surgery. Cherry was admitted to the neurological critical care unit after her surgical surgery.
Fortunately, the medical staff advanced him to intermediate care as part of his recuperation. Cherry had occupational and physical therapy throughout his recuperation. Cherry had a difficult time. However, the medical team’s proactive actions quickly addressed his medical demands, assisting in his ultimate recovery.
