Very informal poll

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Just curious as to how many of you wear your uniform as a Halloween costume? Years ago, I was wearing mine while taking my son around trick or treating when some guy drove by and yelled, "You suck ref". If I could have caught up with him, I would have teed him.

Anyway, now that I just stay home and give out candy, I wear mine. Quite a few of the kids and parents who come by recognize me as someone who has worked their games, since I have worked our local kids rec league for about 15 years. Usually the parent will say something like, "Hey - you reffed my kid's games." I sometimes reply, "Yeah - you look familiar too. Didn't I throw you out?" Most of the time that gets a laugh, but last year one woman thought I was serious and admonished me for even thinking that she could do something that would warrant an ejection. I had to tell her three times that I was only kidding. I think she was just trying to make me feel guilty so I'd give her kid extra candy.

Any pros or cons on wearing this? Any funny stories?

It just doesn't feel like a costume to me, so I'd feel like I hadn't actually dressed up. But I do sometimes loan gear out to friends who want to dress as a ref.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

But I do sometimes loan gear out to friends who want to dress as a ref.

Please tell me this doesn't include your whistles!

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Please tell me this doesn't include your whistles!

Only the ones from my rookie season, before I heard Padgett's advice.

[Mark Dexter]

One year, when I taught high school, I went as a blind football ref. The students and faculty (all of whom knew I reffed) loved it.

Of course, when I threw a flag at my class, one of them reacted with an "eww - that was just in your pants!" After that, no amount of explaining that I wear about 15 layers to ref would bring them back to concentrating.