# Bengals End White Hat Drought Sunday

> Shawn Smith returns to referee Bengals game after 3+ years.
- Title: Bengals End White Hat Drought Sunday | Shortify
- Summary: Shawn Smith returns to referee Bengals game after 3+ years. Shawn Smith will referee Bengals vs Ravens game, ending his longest referee drought since Week 4…
- Keywords: bengals, shawn smith, ravens, nfl, referee, white hat, bengals vs ravens, sports, End, White, Hat, Drought
- Source: Cincinnati Bengals On SI — https://si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi/referee-report-bengals-to-end-longest-white-hat-drought-sunday-vs-ravens-01m5f9cmnttv
- Published: 2026-10-21T13:18:30+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bengals, shawn smith, ravens, nfl, referee, white hat, bengals vs ravens, sports
## Bengals' longest referee drought ends
Shawn Smith will referee Bengals game for first time in more than three years.
## Last Bengals game with Smith
Smith last worked Bengals game in Week 4, 2023, a 27-3 loss in Nashville.
## Bengals record with Smith
Bengals are 1-4 with Smith as referee, with one win in Atlanta.
## Smith's 2020 Bengals losses
Smith worked Bengals losses in 2020 against Browns and Washington.
## Canceled game with Smith
Smith refereed canceled Bengals game against Buffalo after Damar Hamlin's emergency.
## Longest drought after Sunday
Shawn Hochuli has longest Bengals drought since Week 13, 2024.
## Ravens record with Smith
Ravens are 7-4 with Smith as referee.
## Smith's penalty rate
Smith and crew average 13.33 penalties per game, ranking 13th among referees.
## Smith's road penalties
Smith has 43 flags against road teams, ranking fourth.
## Offensive holding penalties
Smith's crew averages 4.33 offensive holding penalties per game, third most.
## Defensive holding penalties
Smith's crew ties for third in defensive holding penalties with 1.17 per game.
## Key takeaway

Shawn Smith will referee Bengals vs Ravens game, ending his longest referee drought since Week 4, 2023.