The Worst Error You've ever made reffing a game?

[Texas Aggie]

Honestly, based on the calls I and partners have made (or not made) and missed, NOTHING comes close to problems caused by others -- usually scorers and timers. I don't mean to pick on these guys because 98% of the time, they do a good job and get it right, but when they mess up, particularly the timer, things go to hell faster than you can say, "I love my mother-in-law."

I was watching a game a few years ago when the timer started the clock when the team doing the throw in passed along the baseline out of bounds. Nobody really noticed the clock starting since everyone was watching the play but when the buzzer went off in 3 seconds rather than 5 or 6, it was obvious something got screwed up. Then, they reset the clock and do it again, only the clock guy set it for 6 MINUTES rather than seconds, and the buzzer never goes off! They reset for a third time (I don't know why, other than the screaming by one of the coaches got to them) and the game ends like it should.

The officials did NOTHING wrong (except allow the third replay -- should have ended the game or at worst, put a second back on the clock and go throw in) and yet I'm sure were blamed.