Selma Native Umpire James Carter’s Wife JuanSonya Stands By Him Following His NFL Dismissal

April 13, 2026

This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on April 13, 2026

The NFL has released three newer officials as part of an offseason shakeup.

The officials affected include a Selma native, James Carter, who had been working as an umpire for two seasons; Robin DeLorenzo, a line judge in her third year; and Robert Richeson, a first-year down judge.

Although they’ve been released from their league roles, they won’t be out of work for long.

NFL officiating VP Ramon George has reportedly helped arrange for all three to take on new roles in college football.

James Carter’s Wife Stands by His Side Through Career Milestones and Challenges

James Carter began officiating in 2005 and entered the SEC (Southeastern Conference) by 2010.

For Carter, working the SEC Championship Game from any other game in the conference.

While he understood that more people were watching, he and his team stuck to their usual routine, like holding their standard pre-game meetings and preparing the same way they always had.

Unpopular opinion: James Carter (College Football Referee) needs his own line for dark circles.

— Katie Kelly (@ktkelly_1)

Now 56 years old, Carter is continuing a family tradition. His father, James H. Carter Sr., was a referee and served as the superintendent for Selma City Schools.

Family means a lot to James Carter. He’s been happily married to JuanSonya for over two decades, and they share two children, JaJuan and Jaylen.

Carter prefers keeping his personal life out of the spotlight, focusing instead on his work in the field.

James Carter, who also works in the insurance industry in Birmingham, knows what it takes to be a top-level official.

He once shared that the real challenge of refereeing is striving for perfection even though getting every call right is impossible; the goal is to come as close as possible.

's Jake Fromm and referee James Carter with a pregame chat.

— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5)

Carter’s wife, JuanSonya, has been by his side throughout his journey, both on and off the field.

Whether it was during the proudest career moments or the tougher, more challenging times, she’s been a steady presence.

Now that James Carter has been let go from his NFL officiating role and is transitioning back to college football, his wife, JuanSonya, stands firmly by his side.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• James Carter went to Cedar Park and Edgewood Elementary Schools, then attended Westside Junior High. He later graduated from Selma High School in 1986.
• He recalled how he and his brother would attend games with their father, observing the crowd’s reactions, whether positive, negative, or somewhere in between.
• Carter mentioned that he didn’t make a big deal out of being part of the officiating crew, even though he is one of just two Black head referees in the SEC.

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