Overweight Refs

[cdaref]

Limp, yes. Knee brace should be hidden. Glasses no problem.

If I see a guy limping down the court I have to question his ability to get himself in the right position to make the call. If I am thinking that, you know the crowd is.

I'm not sure "weight" is necessarily the only issue. I think the issue is whether you look like you may have ever played basketball in your life. The players, and I think the fans, give more respect to someone who looks like they know the game. When someone gets to old, unless they are teriffic shape, there is a risk of loss of credibility. Weight, obviously, is an issue. I have heard players yap at partners of mine "have you even played the game?". At 6'5" and in reasonable shape, I think I get the benefit of the doubt. I think it is an advantage.

But then things change when you blow your whistle. If the heavy guy is getting up and down and the tall guy isnt. Or if the tall guy has a hesitant or late whistle and the heavy guy has awesome mechanics and makes good clear calls, there goes that initial impression--either negative or positive. Though I guess it is easier to lose a good impression your appearance created than it is to overcome a bad impression your appearance created.