Why broadcasters are idiots

[ChuckElias]

Hmmmmmmm, these "idiot" type posts are generally intended to be humorous (cf PA Coach's "post" about officials). In fact, I thought that the article itself was pretty funny. That's one reason I felt pretty safe in making the post.

Having said that, we have countless examples of broadcasters (mostly TV game commentators) being idiots.

For the most part, broadcasters ARE NOT officials, and we shouldn't hold them to the same standards of rules knowledge and the like as we hold ourselves.

The fact that they are not experts on the rules does not give them leeway when they pontificate about poor officiating. In fact, offering such criticism when the critic has little or no knowledge of the subject under discussion is precisely what qualifies him/her to be an idiot.

If they're going to criticize, then they should have a modicum of understanding about what they're criticizing; and in a vast majority of the cases, they don't. It's like me walking into John's Hopkins and criticizing the chief surgeon. I'd be an idiot. The same principle applies (although, I clearly am not trying to identify my avocation with the rigors of a profession in surgery; nobody lives or dies based on my calls -- thank God!) to the broadcasters, in my opinion.

If it's true that the broadcasting company is going to sue over perceived poor officiating, then the person(s) bringing the suit are in fact idiots.

I have a great deal of respect for a great number of sports journalists. Very few of them, however, are TV broacasters. Just my opinion.

Chuck