The MPSSAA is proud to announce the appointment of James Byrd to the position of State Football Rules Interpreter effective July 1, 2021.  Mr. Byrd replaces Bill Witte who stepped down from the position after serving as Football Rules Interpreter for more than a decade.

Mr. Byrd comes from the Maryland Board of Football Officials association and has accumulated numerous post season assignments, including five Maryland State Football Championships.  His resume includes being honored by the Baltimore Touchdown Club as Official of the Year in 2012 and the 2012 Paul A. Menton Award winner.

A product of Forest Park High School in Baltimore City, Mr. Byrd is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a former Maryland Transit Police Department officer and instructor, and has nearly 30 years of high school football officiating experience.