CFL’s top official retires

The man in charge of the CFL’s officiating is leaving the job.

Glen Johnson, the league’s senior vice-president of football, announced on Thursday he is retiring after almost three decades.

“It just feels like the right time,” Johnson said in statement. “Our game is in a great place, with scoring up, penalties down and a strong team of dedicated officials in place. And while I will always be a huge CFL fan, I’d like to see what it’s like to spend summer and fall weekends focused on family and friends instead of football alone.”

Johnson worked for the CFL 28 seasons, including 24 as an onfield official. He worked 416 games, earning 11 Grey Cup assignments. His father, Gord, spent 16 years as an on-field official, with four Grey Cup assignments.

And the Johnsons remain the only father-and-son duo to have both officiated a Grey Cup game.

“Glen has made a huge contribution to our league, on and off the field,” said Randy Ambrosie, commissioner of the CFL. “He has been an active official, a dedicated administrator, a strong advocate and, through his work with our coaches and rules committee, an architect of our game.”

Johnson joined the league office following the 2013 CFL season. Since then, he has been responsible for spearheading innovations, including the use of video replay to review judgment calls such as pass interference and the introduction of the first officiating exchange program between the CFL and the NFL.

Johnson has agreed to continue to consult on an as-needed basis.