TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - An Arp native who has been refereeing for decades is hanging up his whistle.

As the countdown to the high school football season is underway for the first time in 45 years the game will not see Gene Roberson making the calls.

The new generation of refs can learn a lot from him; he was a standout in the sport he loves. He is closing the chapter and moving on.

“Well, I feel real honor. It was a passion for me and it started out...the journey started out...45 years ago. I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I love football and it’s just a situation where I’ve got mixed feelings about today,” Roberson said.

Saturday at Lane’s Chapel he was honored for his years of service, this is during the Tyler TASO regional referee clinic. Stories were shared with the room fu

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