Many NCAA officials wear sunglasses. Many NFL officials wear sunglasses. As a wearer myself, I can tell you that it helps immensely. Keeps the wind off of your eyes so you don't blink. Gets rid of glare off of helmets and the turf. You don't have a headache after the game from squinting. Highly recommended.
This. I have a pair of plain black polarised sunglasses permanently in my kit bag. I'm also fairly photophobic (I'm one of those people you see driving at sunset wearing sunglasses when most cars have their headlights on). Most of the time I don't wear them on the field because I don't need to, but there are some days when they are essential. Clear, sunny days (not many of those in the UK, I know
), combined with a field surface closer in colour to straw or sand (I come across quite a few of those) and no stand or other construction to block the line from the sun to the field and then up into my eyes under the brim of the hat means it's either wear sunglasses or I can't see to officiate. Early in my career I remember walking onto a sand-based artificial field on a bright, cloudless day and the glare from the field surface was so bright that my eyes instantly closed to protect themselves.
I remember reading an article in Referee magazine about how and why the NFL changed their policy on this back in the 2000s as their officials were struggling to be able to see due to some of the reflection and glare they experienced in certain stadiums, especially when there was snow involved.
We also have to consider the health of peoples' eyes. That is way more important that someone's perception of what they think does and doesn't look good.
