Sometimes you wonder why we do this job.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You beat me too it. I was just about to post this.

This why I tell people to stop doing many of these youth or non-sanctioned leagues. But when you say that the reaction is, "You are trying to be bigger than the game."

Peace

I will work some youth football, but I'm very picky. It's only at smaller, rural towns where the teams/parents/coaches are thrilled to have you. I've gone to some other places once only to think to myself "never again."

But in the end, I do these games for one reason only -- the paycheck. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. And, truth be told, I haven't done one of these in 2 years now.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I will work some youth football, but I'm very picky. It's only at smaller, rural towns where the teams/parents/coaches are thrilled to have you. I've gone to some other places once only to think to myself "never again."

But in the end, I do these games for one reason only -- the paycheck. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. And, truth be told, I haven't done one of these in 2 years now.

I do not realistically think that everyone is going to not work these games. That is silly to even expect that. But I hate it when you tell someone you do not want to work those games is for the money, then you get the self-righteous rants about we have a bigger responsibility to the game.....blah....blah.....blah!!!

Peace

[CT1]

Each individual has his own motive for officiating, whether it's youth ball or the NFL.

I've worked games for a very organized youth league for the past 7 or 8 years. We use only HS certified officials, the games are played at HS stadiums with limited field access, and the team officers know that they are subject to severe fines and/or suspensions for any trouble caused by their program during a game.

Fortunately, we've had only one or two incidents during my tenure, and certainly nothing of the scale shown here.

[26 Year Gap]

The official has been doing games for 14 years. The school dept in Sarasota County banned the league from using ANY of its schools' fields. There is a felony assault on officials law here in FL. I hope that any officials in that league refuse to work unless there is law enforcement present. If that video had not surfaced, it would have been almost a "he said, she said" situation. The coaches should get lifetime bans and the kid should not play for a good long while. He may not get charged as an adult, but hopefully, this will stick with him through HS. It is not in FHSAA jurisdiction, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them discuss it.

[HLin NC]

Just another in the myriad of reasons not to call youth football.

[MikeStrybel]

I coach my son's Featherweight team (11U and below 100#) here in a suburb of Chicago. The crews we see working our league are really good. The guys hustle, make the calls (though we may not agree) and act professionally. I respect the heck out of those guys because they help the next generation of football players and coaches develop.

The video was sent out to all of our coaches yesterday. Every forward included quips like, "I hope the kid gets banned from FHSAA ball when he is ready for it." or "Did you see the guy join the fight while holding an infant in his arms? Disgusting!". Most youth coaches and players get it.

[Toadman15241]

The referee who was assaulted by youth football coaches and players at a Saturday game told detectives he did not want to press charges.

Referee [redacted], 41, signed a waiver of prosecution as the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office began to investigate the attack that occurred at an afternoon game between the Sarasota Gators and the North Port Huskies at Riverview High School.