This interview was recorded prior to Lo being called up to the NFL. After the 1975 fall of governments in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia many of the resulting refugees found themselves living in the American heartland. The meatpacking industry, in particular, offered an attractive start for these new Americans with its relatively high paying jobs that didn’t require English fluency. Lo Van Pham was born in Pakse, Laos, but grew up in the Eastridge section of Amarillo, Texas, a neighborhood where a large community of Lao and Vietnamese refugees sprung up in the shadow of a massive IBP cattle processing facility. Lo played football at Palo Duro High School before heading off to Colorado for college. While Lo’s playing career came to an end he felt himself called back to the sport that he loves as an official. He started out at the peewee level before stepping onto the field in front of some of America’s most passionate fans under the Friday night lights of West Texas football. Lo continued to move up the officiating ranks working Mountain West, Big Twelve and college bowl games across the country. In 2018 he was one of 39 people selected to join the NFL’s officiating development program. In 2022 he joined the NFL. Join us as we talk to Lo about his journey from refugee to one of football’s top officials.
https://www.laoamericansports.com/lo-van-pham
Music: Music: Summer 1984 -RKVC
