Hawaii Bowl ejection

[voiceoflg]

Did anyone see the ejection of Hawaii's Davone Bess after he caught the TD pass putting the Warriors up by 10 with 5:16 left in the game? Bess was hit with an USC flag for excesive celebration. Then he went to the stands and high-fived the fans leading to a second flag and an ejection.

[sj]

I thought there was only one action penalized on that play and that it was for interacting with the fans. I had thought he had already had one previously in the game and that was his second. You can sure correct me if I'm wrong.

[MJT]

Sounds like a young man who is not smart enough to know when enough is enough. Too bad he let his team down. I know they won, but he still let his team down by getting ejected.

[stevesmith]

I know what the rules are, but when a player running through the endzone with the game clinching touchdown can't high five a few fans, we've crushed spontaneous non-threatening enthusiam in the game. I understand the logic, but I still don't agree.

[sj]

To voiceoflg

If you're asking whether or not it was a good call or not then it was because interacting with spectators is listed specifically as unsportsmanlike. So the official had no choice. He had to flag it. So if someone thought it was a bad call they can't criticize the calling official. He was doing his job as he is told to do it.
Another poster right above here makes the case for maybe changing the rule somehow. But until then it's a flag and the kids have to learn that it is.

[stevesmith]

I agree it was there and had to be called. I just don't like the rule as written.

[voiceoflg]

Originally Posted by sj

To voiceoflg

If you're asking whether or not it was a good call or not then it was because interacting with spectators is listed specifically as unsportsmanlike. So the official had no choice. He had to flag it. So if someone thought it was a bad call they can't criticize the calling official. He was doing his job as he is told to do it.
Another poster right above here makes the case for maybe changing the rule somehow. But until then it's a flag and the kids have to learn that it is.

I'm not criticizing the official. I just wanted the opinions of those who actually do the job. The next game I officiate will be my first, but I agree with Steve. It is a bad rule, but it is indeed a rule and thus must be enforced.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by sj

To voiceoflg

If you're asking whether or not it was a good call or not then it was because interacting with spectators is listed specifically as unsportsmanlike. So the official had no choice. He had to flag it. So if someone thought it was a bad call they can't criticize the calling official. He was doing his job as he is told to do it.
Another poster right above here makes the case for maybe changing the rule somehow. But until then it's a flag and the kids have to learn that it is.

The kids should learn it from coaches, not from experience. A disciplined team is one that is well taught.