Nobody loved signaling for a first down more than Ed Hoculi.

It was a chance for the 67-year-old referee to show off biceps that had to make some NFL players jealous, even if he had to squeeze into a shirt two sizes too small to do it.

Well, it's the end of an era, as the league announced Hoculi and fellow referee Jeff Triplette are retiring.

Congratulations to our 2 newest @NFL referees, former BJ Shawn Hochuli & former SJ Alex Kemp. Best wishes to our 2 retiring referees, Ed Hochuli & Jeff Triplette. pic.twitter.com/iEv6xOprkf — NFL Officiating (@NFLOfficiating) March 6, 2018

(Yes, that's Ed's son who has been bumped up to referee status.)

Aside from his physique, the elder Hoculi also was known for long-winded explanations on penalties, and especially on replays. He had been with the league since 1990, and was the NFL's longest-tenured ref since 2007.

He will be missed. By some.

“I officially will be ceasing my part-time employment as a referee of football games for the National Football League due to advancing age and/or a desire to engage in other activities during the remaining months and years of my existence on the planet known as Earth.” pic.twitter.com/EcQh0Q4g1T — ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 6, 2018

Ed Hochuli retiring from NFL officiating @alriveron announces. Goodnight sweet smedium. — Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 6, 2018