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I can't imagine any official being thrown further, or harder, under the bus than, ""A series of calls that have occurred during the last several weeks have not been to the standard that we expect from our officiating crews," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said Wednesday. "I believe our officiating program is the best in the country. However, there are times when these actions must be taken.".
OK, the Referee acknowledges that he made a processing mistake responding to a contact he reacted to, rather than observing in it's entirely. We all know we're supposed to see the entire action, but there's not an official, whos's worked more than 2 games in his career who hasn't made this error, to some degree.
Was the SEC correct in reviewing the call, Yes. Correct in correcting the official, Yes. Disciplining the crew, that's their judgment call. Issuing a press release that suggests only two possibilities; this official is either dishonest and biased or consistently incompetent. Totally unnecessary and counterproductive. If commissioned Silve thinks this "confession" enhances his organization he's a misguided as anyone who gratuitously apologizes for not being consistently perfect, where attaining perfection is, at best, an illusion.
Is there any benefit, this public exposure accomplishes that wasn't totally accomplished by whatever review and corrective action taken between the SEC and the Referee in private.
You never raise your own image by trashing those who work for you when they've made a mistake. If commissioner Silve believes what he suggests about the Referee, he had the power to do whtever he felt necessary. Stripping him naked and throwing him out into the public area, doesn't do any good for either him, or the SEC.
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