Want to officiate in the NFL?

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

John Parry was assigned last year's Super Bowl because over 2,403 plays, his crew had twenty-four -1's.

Is it fair to assume that a "-1" is a miss of some sort?

[Brad]

A piece of advice to any of those considering working while the regular staff is locked out: If you have any real hopes of working as a real NFL official one day (vs as a replacement official), don't do it. You'll ruin any chance you might actually have by being a scab.

[Texas Aggie]

Why would that be? If the league is happy with your work, why would you not have a chance of staying on after a resolution?

Sort of smacks of union thuggery, something we can do without.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Why would that be? If the league is happy with your work, why would you not have a chance of staying on after a resolution?

Sort of smacks of union thuggery, something we can do without.

I'm just making a statement about how things are ... you can have whatever opinion about it and I'm not saying it's right or it's wrong ... just stating what seems to be the facts.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Brad

I'm just making a statement about how things are ... you can have whatever opinion about it and I'm not saying it's right or it's wrong ... just stating what seems to be the facts.

However, using the word scab instead of replacement does color your statement a bit. Just an observation.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

However, using the word scab instead of replacement does color your statement a bit. Just an observation.

True ... I actually debated whether to use that word or not!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Brad

True ... I actually debated whether to use that word or not!

And that is what you will be called. It is already happening to those that have accepted the opportunity. Also there are guys that are working college can just about kiss their careers there goodbye too. People remember these things and some college supervisors either are former NFL guys or have children working in the league. Good luck with that no matter what you want them to be called, because the reality is people remember what you did, even if you were not actually accepted on the replacement staff.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Is it fair to assume that a "-1" is a miss of some sort?

A missed call or an incorrect made call.

[prosec34]

I'd give up whatever future I had in officiating for just one game working in the NFL. Of course, my future is just high school, but regardless, you could call me a scab all you wanted. I wouldn't care.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by prosec34

I'd give up whatever future I had in officiating for just one game working in the NFL. Of course, my future is just high school, but regardless, you could call me a scab all you wanted. I wouldn't care.

You're probably exactly the type of person they will end up getting as replacement officials. By that I mean someone with your type of experience, who is not realistically pursuing a career as an NFL official. Well, they'll probably get those with college experience -- but I don't think you'll see top big conference Division I officials out there. Most NCAA coordinators of football officials are past or current NFL officials, and there is a lot of loyalty there.

[Texas Aggie]

The NFL officials DO have the support of the players union ... however, I doubt you would see the players refuse to play

The "we're with you as long as it doesn't hurt us..." isn't what I call support. If the NFL players said, "give the officials what they want or we won't play," the lockout would be over faster than they could issue a press release.

I do not believe the NFL would take on replacement officials and then refuse to allow them a chance to stay or reapply once the lockout is over. That doesn't make any sense. They would be admitting they didn't pursue officials with NFL caliber skills.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I do not believe the NFL would take on replacement officials and then refuse to allow them a chance to stay or reapply once the lockout is over. That doesn't make any sense. They would be admitting they didn't pursue officials with NFL caliber skills.

Challenge: Find the name of a single NFL official that worked as a replacement in the last lockout.

You have one hour and Google at your disposal ... GO!!

[Texas Aggie]

None, because no one actually worked. I'm sure you recall an event on 9/11/2001.

Now, reportedly, more than 200 individuals were offered a chance as replacement officials. If you can get me a list of those individuals, we can check game logs to find out who, if any, made it to the NFL. Until then, I'm quite certain that you can not say for sure no one made it.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Brad

You're probably exactly the type of person they will end up getting as replacement officials. By that I mean someone with your type of experience, who is not realistically pursuing a career as an NFL official. Well, they'll probably get those with college experience -- but I don't think you'll see top big conference Division I officials out there. Most NCAA coordinators of football officials are past or current NFL officials, and there is a lot of loyalty there.

And they are laying out the threats, too.

I could see some older D3 officials going for it and figuring that if they can't get their schedules back it would be a great way to go out.