|
Basically, don't get me started.
I agree with Chuck here, but the overlying issue is basically the NBA does not want a ref to keel over on the court from being out of shape. Anyone remember the baseball umpire a couple of years ago, who had a heart attack on the field? This opened up a whole can of worms on how fat many of the baseball umps were and what was MLB doing about it. So the NBA is probably just trying to stay out of trouble. That's not to say that lean people don't have heart attacks, but again, it's that appearance thing.
We've all seen the commercial of the 50-something guy all trim and tan diving into the pool while all the soccer moms marvel at him, yet he bellyflops. Then we are told this cholesteral level is like 850! So, Shakespear was right!
I do know of one individual that was specifically kept off the varsity rolls because he was told he was to fat. He lost a ton of weight the following year and then they told him it was something else that was keeping him off the varsity rolls. This went on for several years until he moved on the girls board where he ended up with a bunch of varsity assignments.
So, discrimination does happen becasue of looks. It's like belted or beltless pants. I know both sides of the story, but some may not move because they simply don't look the part, when in fact they are compliant, but someone else who is calling the shots thinks beltless pants "look" better.
Flashback: I wanted to stand out so I went to IAABO camp sporting a beard! Thought that would make me stand out, good or bad, but it would get me noticed. It did work too! I was selected from 40 other officials to work an allstar game at the camp. Later that night at the networking session, Frosty Francis who was the camp director and god-like at the IAABO offices, came up to me and said I did a fine job, but the beard had to go. Of course it did, but again, no where in the FED manual, nor IAABO does it say one cannot work with facial hair. But I wanted to hear it from the boss. Again, appearance counts. Whether it is fair or just is another discussion.
goose
goose
__________________
Referees whistle while they work..
|