 McElwee joined the NFL in 1976 as a line judge and became a referee for the start of the 1980 NFL season.He was the referee for three Super Bowls (XXII in 1988, XXVIII in 1994, and XXXIV in 2000) and has officiated in numerous playoff games.McElwee is one of only 6 referees who have officiated 3 or more Super Bowls, along with Norm Schachter, Jim Tunney, Pat Haggerty, Jerry Markbreit and Terry McAulay.