Tuning into the first Oakland Raiders pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys, the excitement for a new NFL season was literally palpable, especially if social networks like Facebook and Twitter were to be believed. Both the game and the day’s news that disgraced quarterback Michael Vick had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles had the Internet on overdrive.

Such is love affair between American men and the NFL. Fueled by endless corporate dollars from a wide range of industries (although one wonders how the state of the auto industry, a long-time and prevalent presence is pro football, is going to affect that particular situation), beer and fast food, it is among the most “American” of all organized sports. Yes, even more so than baseball. NASCAR? OK, you might have an argument there. Still, I digress.

Given the vast culture of professional football, there are a million intriguing personalities swirling in its orbit. Like referee Mike Carey.

Carey has been calling NFL games for nineteen seasons now, including officiating the Super Bowl in 2008—the first African-American to do so. But that’s hardly Carey’s first groundbreaking NFL moment. In October of 2005, Mike and his brother Don Carey were the first brothers to officiate an NFL game together (it was between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers). Carey was also the official in the middle of what’s become known as “Spit-Gate” when Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor spit in the face of Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Michael Pittman. He ultimately ejected Taylor for spitting, while no action was taken against Pittman for retaliating.

But Carey is also an avid part of the snow sports industry, founding Serius Innovation, a company that produces a wide range of ski and snowboarding gear and accessories. He invented something called “Cat Tracks,” which are slipped over ski boots for better traction and to save wear and tear on the boots.

In 2008, Carey was rated the number one official by the NFL head coaches, narrowly beating out fellow referee OG Ed Hochuli.