[JRutledge]

The reality to this discussion is not everyone is married with children. So everyone that officiates are not dealing with the same issues of family as they move up the ladder or decide when or when not to work a game. Also everyone does not have small children or the constant need to be home from a wife or spouse. This issue is so complicated we will never be able to fully agree or see this through the set of eyes. I am single and any woman I have dated knows what I do as an official. So in my case the girlfriend that I have right now (we have been together for 6 years) knew me already as an official. I do not have to fight her and issues of games. When we do have conflict between us it is never about officiating a game. I also involve her with events that deal with officiating and she is fully on board with what I am doing. If I do get married to this person she knows what I am all about as it relates to officiating. I was doing this long before I met her and this is not something I am just going to give up overnight.

Also football is not the same commitment that the other sports are that I currently work. Football is pretty much on the weekends and in some cases a very short season as compared to other sports as well, it should not be that difficult to get your spouse, girlfriend or significant other on board. I know officials that use the money to put directly into children's college funds. I know officials that use the money to pay for trips for their family. I know officials that use the money for gifts for Christmas and other special events. They do whatever they have to do so their family sees the benefits of officiating in their lives.

The bottom line is to communicate to the people whoever is in your life and try to get them on board. If you cannot do that, then you will have to decide what is more important in your life. I would hope that any relationship would allow you some personal things in your life and goals outside of that relationship. For some people fishing or hunting or golfing is what gets their juices going. For many here it is officiating. It is one thing to have some Saturdays during the fall as compared working every day of the week getting $50 here and $40 there.

Peace