WATCH: The Agony and Ecstasy of a Puppy Bowl Referee

Calling on excessive cuteness and a pocket full of bacon bits

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What’s even more fun than watching football on television? Watching puppies play football on television, of course! On Sunday, dog lovers will tune in to Puppy Bowl X, the premier sporting event for canine football players. TIME caught up with the tournament’s referee, Dan Schachner, who talked about the ups and downs — but mostly ups — of running the show. Learn about the special calls he gets to make — illegal “fur”-mations, “paws” interference, intentional growling, excessive cuteness, and premature watering of the lawn — as a man with the best job ever.

The two-hour special airs on Animal Planet at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 2.

Video shot and edited by Corey Protin.