[An Old Ref]

I've been officiating for quite some years now. In fact, I'm also an assignment chairman myself. No, not in youth football, in high school football.

First, I believe it goes without saying, videos don't lie. I had the opportunity to view the original tape even before the media. Right off I was convinced we had a bump followed by two pushes when Mr. Trench rushed the field. Furthermore, even without the bump and push his behavior was unpardonable. In either scenario he must be banned from poisoning young people, both literally (lasix) and figuratively. His language alone was appalling not to mention his physical behavior.

Also, I know you Mr. Rich Graham. What you're doing by going back and officiating this league before an acceptable resolution is reached is disgusting. Disgusting, but not surprising...as I know you well. Mr. Graham, this is only your third year officiating...much like the young man who was assaulted. You are no better an official then he is...you both are inexperienced and have a great deal to learn. However, the younger official has proven he is NOT a coward, he has integrity and conviction. You, Rich my friend, need to learn from your much younger counterpart. Please add to your posts that you coached in the Palos organization for many years. Also add that your twin brother currently coaches in Palos. Also add in that you are very close friends with Louis Trench having spent many nights at his house eating pizza and drinking refreshments. Leaving this information out certainly destroys your credibility and objectivity, not to mention making issue of any integrity you might possess at large. You've not kept to the script, as they say. You've been caught offering to much erroneous information for having such little contact with the actual players in this event, outside of Mr. Trench. I know ALL the players in this saga...including "the assignment chairman and his brother" as well as Mr. Trench and Mr. Shaper. On the part of the youth league and its "board of directors"...lie and coverup are too weak of words to describe what they've done. But Mr. Graham...the conclusion that 4 of 5 Chicago television outlets, 4 Chicago area newspapers, and millions of viewers have come to is wrong. ONLY YOU and MR. Trench know the truth, right?

Mr. Graham, why have you not told in your posts that your dear friend Mr. Trench was forced out of the Crestwood Colts program some 25 years ago? Why did you not mention that an assistant of his ran across the field 3 years ago and punched an opposing coach from Orland Park in the face? Why did you not mention he fed horse steroids (lasix) to minor children risking their kidneys permanently? Why not Mr. Graham. You've tried to personally attack a number of excellent football officials. What's truly sickening is I'm told you don't have the courage to do this in person. You've been posting on "dozens of boards" which leads me to believe you have way too much time on your hands and cannot possibly be a productive member of society.

Finally, this weekend the approximately 40 good officials who did this league are meeting. I've been invited as have 9 of my fellow assignment chairmen, both youth and high school. We are all attending the meeting or sending trusted representatives in our place. We all stand united behind the good officials. Please notice you were not invited Mr. Graham, nor was one Jeff Balogh, one Rich Gust or one Johnny Bryant. I know both Mr. Balogh and Mr. Gust, however I've never had the "pleasure" of meeting Mr. Bryant. I think you boys ought to look up the definition of "black ball". Have a nice night.

[Edited by An Old Ref on Oct 10th, 2002 at 04:54 PM]