The NFL brought excitement to Germany once again on Sunday, hosting its fourth game in the country. This time, it was the Carolina Panthers facing off against the New York Giants at Allianz Arena in Munich. Amid the action, referee Shawn Hochuli managed to steal the spotlight with an unexpected—and impressive—display of language skills.
During the first quarter of the game, a false start penalty was called on Panthers center Cade Mays. What made the moment stand out was Hochuli’s decision to announce the penalty in German. He delivered the entire penalty announcement in fluent German, save for the final part, when he reverted back to English, saying, “It’s by the center, it’s third down.”
The German-speaking penalty call took the crowd by surprise and instantly drew a loud cheer from the enthusiastic fans in attendance. Allianz Arena erupted with applause and cheers for Hochuli, who couldn’t help but smile at the unexpected reaction from the crowd. His ability to connect with the local audience in their native language was a perfect gesture, and the fans in Munich showed their appreciation.
NFL Network announcers Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner were equally taken aback by Hochuli’s linguistic prowess. As they watched from the broadcast booth, their surprise was evident. “Wow! There we go! Showing up!” they exclaimed, praising Hochuli for the entertaining and thoughtful moment.
The penalty announcement wasn’t just an impressive display of Hochuli’s language skills—it was also a moment that brought a sense of full circle to the Hochuli family’s legacy in NFL officiating. Shawn Hochuli’s father, the legendary NFL referee Ed Hochuli, had officiated the league’s first-ever game in Mexico back in 2005.
During that game, Ed famously called the NFL’s first penalty in Spanish, making it a groundbreaking moment for the league and for international fans. Now, nearly two decades later, Shawn Hochuli carried on his father’s tradition by making history once again, this time in Germany.
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The father-son duo’s ability to adapt to international audiences has endeared them to fans around the world, and both Hochulis have played a part in making NFL games more accessible and entertaining for non-English-speaking audiences. The gesture of announcing penalties in the local language demonstrates a level of respect for the host country and helps foster a deeper connection between the league and its international fanbase.
Sunday’s game between the Panthers and the Giants was already an exciting event for fans in Germany, as the NFL continues to grow its presence across Europe. Moments like Hochuli’s German penalty call further demonstrate the league’s commitment to engaging fans on a personal level, making these international games more than just matchups on the field—they become cultural experiences that leave a lasting impact.
Shawn Hochuli’s moment of improvisation added an extra layer of excitement to the game and will surely be remembered by those who witnessed it.
The crowd’s loud cheer and his subsequent smile reflected the joy and connection that sports can bring across different languages and cultures. As the NFL continues to expand its international reach, moments like these remind us of the power of sports to unite people, transcending barriers of language and geography.
For the Hochuli family, the legacy of officiating international games has taken on a new chapter. From Ed Hochuli’s pioneering moment in Mexico to Shawn’s memorable announcement in Germany, the Hochulis continue to leave their mark on NFL history—not just for their officiating skills but also for their ability to embrace the cultural diversity of the game’s growing audience.
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