Kudos to the GB/SEA Crew...

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Why? What sense does it make to not use the equipment that's been made available to you? Is it supposed to be "manly?"

From what I've heard, it is the R's choice what to wear.

If that is true, who is anyone to question what sense was used?

[BktBallRef]

Just as we can question whether the correct call was made, we can question whether it's smart not to use the equipment made available to you.

[bluezebra]

Since my FB officiating took place in Southern california, I didn't encounter any really rough weather in 20 years. However, I played semi-pro in Chicago in 1949. The next-to-last game of the season was a night game in December, and it was below zero.

Bob

[Bob M.]

REPLY: According to an NFL friend, it's the crew's choice as to what to wear. But depending on how dogmatic the crew chief is, it might just become the R's choice.

Two bad games I can recall: One opening game began with the temp around 75F. Right after the game started, it began to pour--I mean REALLY pour. So much so that I could barely see my partner across the field. Then the temperature began to drop so that by game's end, it was down to around 45F. And there we are soaking wet in short sleeves and (embarrassed to admit it) shorts! Other game was night before Thanksgiving. Temperature was 8F, slight breeze. But that one was made even less bearable by two 0-8 teams who couldn't get out of their own ways.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY:
Two bad games I can recall: One opening game began with the temp around 75F. Right after the game started, it began to pour--I mean REALLY pour. So much so that I could barely see my partner across the field. Then the temperature began to drop so that by game's end, it was down to around 45F. And there we are soaking wet in short sleeves and (embarrassed to admit it) shorts!

Bob, Maybe that was God's punishment for wearing shorts!

[Jim D]

I had a small college game up in Iowa once for a supervisor of officials who absolutely insisted that we only wear short sleeves. If he caught you wearing long sleeves, you did not get paid. He was an excellent supervisor who sent many guys on to the NFL, but he was a little dingy about this issue. It was about 10 degrees with a nice brisk wind. We ended up putting that Atomic Balm stuff all over our arms trying to get warm. Plus we looked like idiots out there with the short sleeves. It really doesn't inspire much confidence in the crew if walk out in that temperature wearing short sleeves.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by Jim D

I had a small college game up in Iowa once for a supervisor of officials who absolutely insisted that we only wear short sleeves. If he caught you wearing long sleeves, you did not get paid.

I'd say "Guess what, big man? I'm not playing for Bud Grant. You're not paying me enough to buy into your little martinet ideas of what makes a man."

Maybe more diplomatically than that, but that's still ridiculous.