What happens if a player catches a pass and uses a ref as a ‘blocker’

I know the refs are considered part of the game but what happens if a player catches a pass and ‘hides’ behind a ref of uses him as a screen? He wouldn’t need to touch him but it’s clearly purposeful. The defender obviously can’t barrel through the ref and if he goes to one side the ball carrier goes to the other. Is that legal or would the play be dead?