USC or not?
 

OK, let me start by saying I know the rule. Some of you may give me a rough time with how I handled this so at the risk of some (constructive) criticism I'll share any way.

3/4 inch cleats - USC, no question... all the way
Stick substance on the gloves - USC, again no question

I'm not talking about "advantage" equipment violations as I cited here. Today, we had a lineman with a butt pad missing. The LJ noticed it when the lineman stood up hear him and called it to my attention. It wasn't as if he was looking at that closely. The kid was probably 230+ so it was fairly easy to notice the missing pad. I asked the kid if he had one. He said No. I sent him off the field to get a new one. I did not throw the hankie against his head coach. I thought something like that would be a "ticky tack" flag.

Agree or disagree with my opinion and decision?

I'd get his butt off the field. The equip. guy should be covering his butt in these situations. My guess is that they didn't have a butt pad big enough. ;)

Disagree.

I walk through the players during the pre-game checking for butt and knee pads, the proper mouth pieces and sweat bnads. If I see a player without one, I tell the coach. If he then shows up on the field without one, it's golden and it's 15 yards.

If they go to the locker room and I don't get an opportunity to check the players, I'll send a player off if I find him without one. "Tell your coach you don't have a butt pad. Tell him the next one we find is 15 yards." This happened Friday night. We walked off 15.

Coach chewed out the asst. because he said the second player said he had one in but it fell out. LOL! Fell out. Yeah, right.

BTW, I've found them not wearing any pads at all in their pants. Is that a "ticky-tacky" flag? THese things are required because they have a purpose.

Joe,

I've sent a player off to get the proper pads; same as I do if a player tells me he can't buckle his chin strap because the snap is broken or missing. I'd also relay a message to the coach that any other infractions will be penalized.

We were also told in a meeting a couple of weeks ago to be prudent in making sure that the knee pads cover the knees. One of the top ranked teams in the state was cited as a team that has players that violate this rule. Interesting, they're last game is being televised on MSG. Let's just say it seems that not all officials got the message. :(