Official Injured in Motor City Bowl

[voiceoflg]

Originally Posted by Johnny Cakes

What's the..."safest" position on the crew?

Clock operator?

[ljdave]

IMHO, you needn't go into officiating thinking there is a "most dangerous" position, because chances are that the crew will just put you in whatever vacancy they have. If you are in good physical condition (I've issued myself the challenge of being in the best shape of my adult life, this coming fall) and learn proper technique, injuries are rare.

My own perspective, I've officiated HS for 10 years (9 on a varsity crew) and have seen one official go down with an injury (No contact with players - tore a muscle in his calf) and one official have to sit out a few series (Newbie line judge went down-field on a sweep instead of trailing the play, and got wiped out by pursuers). In contrast, seems like a player gets injured every game or two. My own two worst injuries: Bruised arm and bruised ego.......

[TXMike]

The bj is least likely to get run into but due to the great speeds he moves and sudden shifts he has to make while moving backwards, he still is in danger of self-induced injury.