Jurassic Referee

[ChuckElias]

I'd been in contact with him through his illness. In typical Woody-fashion, he never told me what he was battling. Over the last couple weeks, I was trying to get in touch and didn't get any replies. So, sadly, this news is not a surprise.

But it is deeply saddening to me. His contributions here were tremendous. His knowledge of the game had few peers. Catching him in a rules error was a rare accomplishment. Our Yankees/Red Sox skirmishes were a source of great fun. Additionally, he was helpful to me personally in my officiating career.

I have been missing him over the last few weeks and now I miss him even more. I mean, who's going to mail unbelievably tasteless, inappropriate wife-jokes to me? Rest in peace, buddy.

[grunewar]

Like many, I only new JR from afar. He taught me a lot over the years.

Best wishes to his family, friends, and loved ones. RIP.

[tref]

Can't say that I knew the man personally, but he slapped me around so much on the Forum that he made me get my nose in the rule book. JR definitely helped me become a better official. RIP Jurassic Referee!

[BillyMac]

I didn't always agree with his "delivery", but his rules knowledge was always near perfect.

I mixed it up with Jurassic Referee once, for about a week, regarding whether, or not, advantage/disadvantage applied to violations, and I finally got him to admit that there were, maybe, two, and only two, violations where advantage/disadvantage may apply, three seconds, and ten seconds for a free throw. After a week of back and forth posts, I was mentally drained, and with the "partial victory" I felt that I had won the "Forum Super Bowl".

His knowledge, and experience, will be missed on this Forum. The Forum was a better place with him, and will be a lesser place without him.

Now that it appears to be safe for Old School to come back, in case he does, it's up to the rest of us to "step up our game" and show him, and others like him, the door, and to make sure that we let the door hit him on the *** on the way out.

[Welpe]

I've tried to compose some words but all I can say is, thanks Jurassic.

[APG]

JR and I didn't necessarily see eye to eye on some subjects, but he was a valuable member of this forum, and from the sound of it, helped many officials both on here and in person.

He will be missed.

[btaylor64]

I'm sure a lot of us had our arguments with JR over our time but this just shows that at the end of the day we r human beings and that means more than a block/charge play. RIP

[Texas Aggie]

he made me get my nose in the rule book

Excellent observation. Even if we didn't agree, I'm sure I learned something from every interaction. That's a legacy that transcends agreement.

[Larks]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

IHis contributions here were tremendous. His knowledge of the game had few peers. Catching him in a rules error was a rare accomplishment.

Spot on. Its amazing to me that I am affected by the passing of someone I've never met. Woody was a mentor and a friend and he is missed.

Rest In Peace Jurassic Referee

[Bad Zebra]

I'm at a loss for words here. One of the biggest reasons I have continued to follow and post here was the biting sarcasm and pointed responses from JR. What a treasure trove of knowledge, wit and wisdom. Whether you agreed with his delivery or not, you could take his answers to the bank....they were ALWAYS correct. I have wondered about his absence often lately.

The Forum is a little bit of a lesser place today. RIP JR. Prayers to his family.