bad news about injured player

[Adam]

Originally Posted by representing

I do keep a level head during officiating. It's after the game that I start getting emotional about certain things. Like one game I had a few years ago. I T'd up a coach for running his mouth all game. No problem, kept my cool, went to the table to report it. After the game he initiated a stare-down competition with me on my way to the locker room. I stood my ground, and eventually he walked away.

There's no way a coach could get into a post-game stare down with me. He'll be looking at the back of my head as I get off the court. I wouldn't even know if he tried.

Just by engaging with him here, you lost.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by snaqwells

just by engaging with him here, you lost.

+1

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

He'll be looking at the back of my head as I get off the court.

We were wondering why you had, "Bite Me", shaved into the back of your head. Nice haircut for an official.

[Texas Aggie]

One of the biggest myths in sports is if the official calls something you will prevent someone from being hurt.

I've been saying this for years. I defy anyone to show me how a call or non-call would cause or prevent an injury. The myth in basketball is that if you don't call more fouls, the contact becomes harder or is increased. That's bull. The roughest games I've had were the ones where a bunch of fouls were called. But even then, I'd argue that one thing has nothing to do with the other. The game is going to be well played, or ugly, and that's determined by the two teams playing.

If the argument is that teams don't like the calls and get out of control, how am I supposed to respond if I believe the calls or non-calls made are correct? Make calls that I think aren't correct?

I had a coach in football tell me in pregame that he was deathly afraid of injuries to his kids. I said, "fine; I guarantee you my guys won't hurt them. Other than that, I'm not sure what I can do about it. Most injuries happen on legal plays. For the ones that happen on illegal plays, the flag isn't going to heal the injury, so the only real question becomes whether we make the correct call or not. I can assure you our goal tonight will be to get the calls correct, but I can't make any assurances about injuries on anyone' part -- your players, your opponents, or even you and I."

He seemed a bit annoyed, but I didn't really leave him with anything to argue about. I was very annoyed that he thinks officials have something to do with preventing injuries. In fact its one of my pet peeves (if you can't already tell)!

[asdf]

Originally Posted by representing

Not trying to be dramatic, but I want to know what you guys think.

You could hook up with a certain scoreboard operator and have a good pre-game.

[grunewar]

Don't make a hasty decision based on one or two incidents and the emotion of the moment.

If you still enjoy the game and add value - stick it out. All sports need good officials.

I had a B12 player break his wrist in a game I officiated last yr. It was an awkward foul that occurred in a heap along a sideline. I had the foul.....but so what. I knew it was bad when it happened.

Next week the boy was out practicing with his team and on the bench watching and cheering them on (obviously he couldn't play because of the cast). Great kid, super parents. Turns out he broke the same wrist a few yrs back during football. It happens. Let it go.

Be an official if you want to be an official. If you're heart is truly not in it, don't.