[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I am sorry to disagree with you Chuck but sports officiating is a profession.

According to the Third Edition of the New World Dictionary of American English the definition of profession is as follows: "3a) a vocation or occupation requiring advanced education and training, and involving involving intellectual skills such as medicine, law, theology, engineering, teaching, etc." And the definition of professional from the same dictionary is: "adj. 1) of, engaged in, or worthy of the high standards of a profession......6) being such in the manner of practicing a profession..... n. 1) a person practicing a profession..."

As an enigneer I can tell you that sports officials can closely identify with the legal profession. And whether one is an engineer or a lawyer or a sports official (amateur sports or professional sports) we are subject to the standards of ethical and professional conduct.

As I have stated before the officials who replace NFLRA officials this weekend are not meeting the standards of ethical and professional conduct.

On a final note, it was brought to my attention in the Football Forum, that one of the NFLRA officials who are being locked out was a scab during the MLB umpires' strikes in the 1970's. And I cannot help wonder what he is thinking now as he watches scabs take his place.