Joseph Underwood is a decorated contest official who has served the FHSAA in over 972 football and flag football contests for more than 36 years.
 
The Stranahan High School graduate has officiated in excess of 35 postseason contests and five FHSAA State Championships. He was instrumental in the formation of the Greater Miami Athletic Conference Flag Football Officials Association and assisted with establishing FHSAA Flag Football rules. He also played a big role in the implementation of the Sideline Safety Rule in football, which serves to safeguard non-players such as athletic trainers, officials, and coaches during games.  
 
Underwood belongs to the Miami High Alumni Association Sports Hall of Fame, Athletic Trainer’s Association of Florida Hall of Fame, American Football News Today Football Hall of Fame, and the National Teachers Hall of Fame.
 
Outside of high school interscholastic activities, Underwood has acted as the TV Liaison/Red Hat for University of Miami football games and for the Orange Bowl Classic for several years. In 2014, he was named “Permanent Red Hat” for the NCAA Football National Championship. He has also been spotted on the big screen in several commercials, including one during the Super Bowl, on numerous episodes of the original Miami Vice, and in the movie Any Given Sunday.