Should new refs have a identifier?

[mj]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I take issue with just about anything that draws even one more iota of attention to an official. Sorry to say, that includes pink whistles. Even though my mom is a 30 year cancer survivor, I don't like the officials using them. The players, otoh, is fine by me. The game is all about the players, imo.

To some degree I agree with you. I am not a fan of the of wearing any patch or flag, even though I'm as patriotic as anyone. I also am not a fan of a different whistle even though I wore a Livestrong band for many years.

However, I absolutely disagree that the game is all about the players. I never quite understood when people say that the best games are the ones where no one knows who the officials were. We are out there to make the tough calls whether we like it or not.