Hochuli, Triplette retire; Hochuli’s son replaces him

NEW YORK » NFL referees Ed Hochuli and Jeff Triplette are retiring.

One of the replacements will be former back judge Shawn Hochuli, Ed’s son. The other is former side judge Alex Kemp. The two new referees each joined the NFL in 2014.

Ed Hochuli, among the most recognizable of NFL officials because of his muscular build, joined the league in 1990. Triplette came aboard in 1996.

Hochuli, a lawyer by trade, originally was a back judge and moved up to referee in 1992. He worked two Super Bowls and generally was considered among the league’s best officials. Hochuli’s lengthy verbal descriptions of calls were befitting an attorney.

Triplette, a restructuring consultant, became a ref in 1999. He was heavily criticized in the media — including by his former boss, Mike Pereira, now an analyst for Fox — for his crew’s work in January during the TitansChiefs playoff game.

Triplette also was the official who threw a penalty flag in 1999 that hit then-Browns tackle Orlando Brown in the eye, injuring the player. Brown missed the next three NFL seasons and sued the league.

Panthers sign kicker Gano to 4-year-contract

CHARLOTTE, N.C. » The Carolina Panthers are keeping their kicking game intact.

The Panthers announced Tuesday they have signed Pro Bowl kicker Graham Gano to a four-year contract extension.

The deal is worth $17 million overall with $9 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

Gano was set to become an unrestricted free agent and the team had considered using the franchise tag on him, but came to an agreement just hours before the deadline to use the tag.

Ravens’ Urban signs deal to avoid free agency

OWINGS MILLS, MD. » The Baltimore Ravens have signed defensive end Brent Urban to a 1-year contract, less than two weeks before he was slated to become an unrestricted free agent.

Urban’s four years with Baltimore have been marked by injuries. He’s played in just 25 games.

Urban has 25 tackles, three sacks and has blocked two field goals over his career.