Bob Newhart was the center of some fun social media attention Monday, when football fans noticed that the head referee for the first ever College Football Playoff national championship football game between the Ohio State University and the University of Oregon had a striking resemblance to the legendary comedian.
Referee Greg Burks, who usually refs for Big 12 games, really does look like Newhart and perhaps that was a blessing, since the ref received little attention for blown calls and much attention for striking resemblance to his Elf doppelgänger.
The Buckeyes went on to beat the Ducks, 42-20, becoming the first official national championship winners.
Even PGA pro-golfer John Daly got in on the comparisons:
I just can't stop laughing every time see this official! #PapaElf #CFPChampionship pic.twitter.com/uMdz8F9uZ6
— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) January 13, 2015
Tonight's ref is Bob Newhart!!!! #CFPChampionship #OregonVsOhioState pic.twitter.com/FPbODNfocc
— Cliff Saunders (@cliffsaunders) January 13, 2015
#BobNewhart trended on Twitter Monday night, leading the man himself to chime in on Twitter, and he didn’t necessarily deny that it was him.
In regards to my new career as head ref for #OSUvsORE – Hey, I don't have a series any more – I had to do something. #OSUvsORE
— Bob Newhart (@BobNewhart) January 13, 2015
Was that @BobNewhart refereeing the national championship game last night? http://t.co/oDjt4HcNGA pic.twitter.com/MpZZtKygKI
— Mashable (@mashable) January 13, 2015