Kevin Ware

[Bad Zebra]

A critical skill for all officials is to seperate the past from the task at hand. Whether it's a history with a coach, a blown call in the last quarter, or a gruesome injury...you have got to learn to focus on the play in front of you at present. Every play is separate and distinct from all others. Every quarter is distinct from all others. Every game is new and distinct from the rest this season or last year.

The alternative is to let each play or experience build up and color your judgement. To do so would make it impossible to call a game fairly and objectively.

Ware's injury was horrific to watch on TV. The reactions of the coaches and players indicates it was probably far worse in person. The officials on that game had to separate the images and focus on getting it right once the game re-started. I think they did an outstanding job. They are professionals and I think everybody on this board or in their officiating circle expected them to handle it exactly as they did.