 As a result, he missed the entire 1995 NFL season, but returned at the start of the 1996 NFL season after Gordon McCarter announced his retirement.He returned to the head linesman position in 1998 and worked on the crews of Larry Nemmers and Bernie Kukar.After retiring as an on-field official following the 2001 NFL season, Hamer assumed new duties as an instant replay official for the NFL, a position he continues to serve in today.