Black Pants

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Unless your state dictates this too, the pants are mainly designed for bad weather conditions. If it rains, the pants keep you dry. And if you have muddy conditions on the field, you do not look like you have mud all over your white pants. We had about 2 or 3 games this year where it rained almost the entire game and I did not get wet at all on my legs underneath the pants like I would with normal knickers.

Peace

And unless the state dictates where and when they can be worn, crews could theoretically retire their knickers entirely. Don't know how warm the pants would be in early September, though.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

And unless the state dictates where and when they can be worn, crews could theoretically retire their knickers entirely. Don't know how warm the pants would be in early September, though.

Of course.

We were told they were for cold and bad weather. In other words, if we are wearing long sleeves, we are wearing these pants likely. But we have not been told when or how to wear them specifically and this is a crew decision. I guess we could wear them in September, but we have not been put in that position yet. Stay tuned.

Peace

[Texas Aggie]

They were approved in Texas. We've had crews wear them throughout the playoffs, mostly. I'm sure some of these crews wore them late in the season -- like JR's, its been VERY wet down here this year -- its just those games weren't in our area so I don't know for sure.

Supposedly, we are supposed to wear them only with the long sleeves. I can assure you that if I have another rainy or muddy game next year, we will wear them and we'll pick the shirt independently. Considering the other mechanics that are often ignored, this one can't rank very high.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

They were approved in Texas. We've had crews wear them throughout the playoffs, mostly. I'm sure some of these crews wore them late in the season -- like JR's, its been VERY wet down here this year -- its just those games weren't in our area so I don't know for sure.

We wore them all three rounds of the playoffs and about the last 4 or 5 weeks of the regular season (9 week season).

Peace

[FTVMartin]

We wore them the last 3 weeks. They are great in the rain and wind. I saw one crew wear them with short sleeves and didn't care for the look.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Larry0405

Am wondering if New Jersey is the only state where we wear the black NFL style pants with the white stripe in inclement or cold weather?

My local association is wearing them for next year HS season. I like the pants a lot, but the cost in Canada is outrageous: the price here is more than double than found in the US. Guess who's contributing to the US economy next year?

[Gaiters97]

Us guys in the UK want them too. We go all year round and can expect to do games on muddy rugby fields from November thru to April which can be 18 games, excluding double-headers and Saturdays.
It's not so much the cold but keeping them looking clean and good and white is the most impractical colour when you think about it.
I hate to admit it but the soccer refs (all black) in this country have got it right! Those guys can do 3 games in a weekend.

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Unless your state dictates this too, the pants are mainly designed for bad weather conditions. If it rains, the pants keep you dry. And if you have muddy conditions on the field, you do not look like you have mud all over your white pants. We had about 2 or 3 games this year where it rained almost the entire game and I did not get wet at all on my legs underneath the pants like I would with normal knickers.

Peace

Plus, I'll bet when they do get mud on them they are a lot easier to clean!

I was averaging three washes for my knickers after Friday night. Invested in some Oxi-Clean and that certainly helped.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Plus, I'll bet when they do get mud on them they are a lot easier to clean!

I was averaging three washes for my knickers after Friday night. Invested in some Oxi-Clean and that certainly helped.

If you soak your knickers you will not have to wash them that many times with the OxyClean. Then again, with the black pants you do not have to worry about that anymore.

Peace

[DeepWing55]

Why did the officials wear the black pants for the Raider/Ravens game (in Oakland) this past weekend? The weather was sunny and 75 degrees. It looked silly!!!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by DeepWing55

Why did the officials wear the black pants for the Raider/Ravens game (in Oakland) this past weekend? The weather was sunny and 75 degrees. It looked silly!!!

Didn't they wear long sleeves?

I think that might have been the reason.

Peace

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by DeepWing55

Why did the officials wear the black pants for the Raider/Ravens game (in Oakland) this past weekend? The weather was sunny and 75 degrees. It looked silly!!!

Where did you hear it was 75 degrees? The recorded temperature at kick off was around 53 degrees.

[HLin NC]

They were wearing long sleeves but most of the crew I saw had pushed the sleeves up their arm a bit. Must have gotten warmer than they expected.

[FredFan7]

My guess is that they like the black pants so much that they'll sacrifice being a little toasty with the long sleeves in exchange for the comfort of the black pants.

[IceGator8]

I didn't get to watch much NFL this year but last year I saw the pants worn in a dome with short sleeves.

Frankly if the pants are more comfortable (which they are for anyone with big legs or a larger build) you ought to be able to wear them in any weather. I look forward to retiring my knickers because for me.....knickers suck.