CBS SPORTS ADDS FORMER NFL REFEREE MIKE CAREY TO "THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" AND THE NFL ON CBS AS NFL RULES EXPERT FOR 2014 SEASON

CBS Sports has added former NFL Official Mike Carey to the broadcast team for coverage of Thursday Night Football on CBS and NFL Network, and THE NFL ON CBS coverage on Sundays during the 2014 NFL season. The announcement was made today by Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports and Executive Producer, THE NFL ON CBS.

Carey will provide rules analysis, interpretation and explanations on Thursday nights from the game site, as well as NFL Network's studio in Culver City, Calif., and on Sundays from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

"So many times throughout the years of watching Mike officiate, I often thought it would be great to have him someday work for CBS explaining the calls on the field," said McManus. "We're excited that this has now come to fruition. He will be a great complement to our Thursday Night Football and Sunday afternoon coverage."

Carey spent 24 years as an NFL official, including 19 as a referee. He joined the NFL from the Western Athletic Conference in 1990 as a side judge. Carey was promoted to referee for the start of the 1995 NFL season becoming only the second African American referee in NFL history, and the first to referee a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XLII; New England Patriots-N.Y. Giants). In addition, he has officiated four playoff games as a side judge (two Wild Cards and two Conference Championships) and 14 playoff games as a referee (eight Wild Cards, five Divisionals and Super Bowl XLII).

Carey is the co-owner of Seirus Innovation, a privately held company that manufactures ski and snowboarding gloves, face protection, and other cold-weather accessories. He also is an inventor who owns or shares eight ski apparel patents. Carey is a past Chairman of the Board of Snow Sports Industries of America's, and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the NFL Officials Association.

Carey received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Santa Clara University in 1971 and was a running back on its football team. He was elected to the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees in 1995, and currently serves as chair of the Trustee Student Life Committee. Carey previously served on the University's Board of Regents. He also serves on the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Diego.

Carey and his wife, Wendy, have two daughters, Drisana and Danica, and currently reside in his native San Diego, Calif.