Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Cakes
Back judge Terry Jones was injured in the Motor City Bowl tonight and an alternate official had to take his place. His condition was not updated, although it didn't appear that serious (hopefully).
Brings me to a question as a newbie who is potentially starting traning this Spring to become an official:
I work for myself to put food on the table for my family -- if I don't work, I don't get paid, simple as that. Don't have "sick leave." Man, even a sprained ankle would really mess up my ability to work.
After seeing Jones taken out of the game, I got to thinking about Charlie Weis and Joe Paterno, just were just standing on the sidelines when they got so whacked they can't walk now. So I got to thinking that maybe I'm being selfish and not thinking about my family with my plan to get involved with officiating.
Granted anyone can get run over by a bus or drunk driver tomorrow, but I don't want to take undue risks when I have kids to support. Is it often that officials get injured or a complete fluke? What's the "most dangerous" position or "safest" position on the crew?
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In 12 seasons, including 3 at the NCAA level (Cdn equiv.), I have been hit once of any significance, and two other times where a leg brushed my person.
I've never had an errant ball hit me. I come from a basketball officiating background, so I did learn quite well how to stay out of the way.
I don't know about Paterno, but Weis was in the wrong area when he should have known better. I won't say that he deserved what he got, but he has nobody to blame except for himself.
In football officiating, I think the U has the greatest risk of being hit, and therefore of also being injured. As a side guy, I have never been close to being injured, except for that one play in a college game. It was my first year, and was my second game. I knew the game was faster, but man, I didn't really get it until I was on-field.
