NFL's First Female Official - Chargers vs Pack, 9 Aug

[tmagan]

The NFL can't wait to put out press releases touting the billions and billions of dollars in revenue each year (nothing wrong with that), but then wants to tell the players and referees association that they do not have any more money in their respective CBA negotiations. And then Commissioner Goodell wonders why no one believes a word he is saying.

[mbyron]

Most recent analysis of the lockout I heard is that it goes away for about $100K per team.

That's not a large amount for those businesses.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by tmagan

The NFL can't wait to put out press releases touting the billions and billions of dollars in revenue each year (nothing wrong with that), but then wants to tell the players and referees association that they do not have any more money in their respective CBA negotiations. And then Commissioner Goodell wonders why no one believes a word he is saying.

Goodell works for the owners and the owners run the league. If they wanted to take care of these issues they could, it is just a matter of will and priority. The owners want to make the most money, they do not want to pay out to officials and players if they do not have to.

Peace

[Forksref]

Unfortunately, this female ref will have little credibility since she is in the NFL as a replacement ref. Had she been moved up in competition with the regular NFL guys and prospects, then she would be deemed worthy. I wonder if the NFL is using her as a distraction from the real problem, which is the incompetence of replacement refs. There is NO way they can do the job well. The NFL game is too fast and too intense for crews of total rookies to handle. How sad.

Also, if any D-I ref worked as a replacement ref, they'd be done in NCAA ball. I know of a guy who did this the last time and he never worked D-I again. Reffing is a fraternity and loyalties run deep.

[HLin NC]

Reffing is a fraternity and loyalties run deep.

This and more extreme philosophies have been espoused at various blogs and message boards. I understand all of that. I am not a union member and live in a right to work state but I understand the good unions do and the flaws that they have. I also understand the current business climate in this country.

At some point, the planet Vulcan philosophy of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" evaporates into the American principle of "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Each official must weigh for themselves the risk and benefit to accept employment under the present circumstances. Unless presented with the opportunity, none of us can say with 100% accuracy what we would do.

Gotta walk a mile in the other dude/dudette's shoes.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

This and more extreme philosophies have been espoused at various blogs and message boards. I understand all of that. I am not a union member and live in a right to work state but I understand the good unions do and the flaws that they have. I also understand the current business climate in this country.

At some point, the planet Vulcan philosophy of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" evaporates into the American principle of "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". Each official must weigh for themselves the risk and benefit to accept employment under the present circumstances. Unless presented with the opportunity, none of us can say with 100% accuracy what we would do.

Gotta walk a mile in the other dude/dudette's shoes.

I will speak for myself. If offered a replacement job in the NFL, I would not take it. I personally know 4 NFL guys (2 who have retired) and I would not take their jobs. Simple as that.

[MD Longhorn]

These referees will show us A) DIII officials are not ready for prime-time; and B) NFL referees are better than the general public thinks.

I just hope that the debacle that will unfold tomorrow and over the next few weeks will not be laid at the feet of the female official alone. She's going to blow one - but so will everyone else being moved up WAY above their current talent level, and likely multiple times.

[HLin NC]

But you are not taking "their job". They are locked out. Management can replace them and have opted to do so. The bargaining process willm be used insure they return to "their job".

The replacement official loses "their job" when it is over. Whether they are hired back in the future or are dumped back in to the job market is not under their control or the unions.

It is easy to say "I'll never do that" until actually faced with the decision. Be it based on low ethics or high desire to achieve, each individual makes their own choice at the crucial time

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

But you are not taking "their job". They are locked out. Management can replace them and have opted to do so. The bargaining process willm be used insure they return to "their job".

The replacement official loses "their job" when it is over. Whether they are hired back in the future or are dumped back in to the job market is not under their control or the unions.

It is easy to say "I'll never do that" until actually faced with the decision. Be it based on low ethics or high desire to achieve, each individual makes their own choice at the crucial time

You can say it anyway you want, but it is their job you are taking. If it was not their job then the NFL would have fired all the guys they locked out. They have not done that and when this situation is resolved most of those will be back. I know if I was asked to be a replacement I would not do this at all. I have goals to work college and even higher if that ever would be an opportunity and that would be completely dashed if I made this decision. It is one thing to work in the NFL, but I would rather get there the best way everyone else could. I know the Referee personally that was being talked about in an article and I would not trade places with him at all. Even things he has accomplished he is being used to prove a point and what did he really get out of this experience? It is one thing to work a game, it is another when the national media is saying you do not know what you are doing and saying your background is not accurate. I could have seen that coming on some level. Sorry, I would not have wanted to be apart of that if I had the opportunity.

Peace

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

But you are not taking "their job". They are locked out. Management can replace them and have opted to do so. The bargaining process willm be used insure they return to "their job".

The replacement official loses "their job" when it is over. Whether they are hired back in the future or are dumped back in to the job market is not under their control or the unions.

It is easy to say "I'll never do that" until actually faced with the decision. Be it based on low ethics or high desire to achieve, each individual makes their own choice at the crucial time

While there is a small difference between a strike and a lockout here, the idea that you're not taking "their job" is false. By working for someone who is locking out people that you supposedly align with and aspire to be, you facilitate that company being able to continue operations while they prevent your ally from working. If NO ONE would work, the company could not continue to make money while preventing the locked out individuals from working.

I think it says volumes regarding the solidarity of GOOD officials that the NFL was unable to persuade ANY D1 officials to work during this lockout. The fact that they had to go all the way to D3 / High School officials means MOST profession-respecting officials are not scabbing.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Unfortunately, this female ref will have little credibility since she is in the NFL as a replacement ref. Had she been moved up in competition with the regular NFL guys and prospects, then she would be deemed worthy. I wonder if the NFL is using her as a distraction from the real problem, which is the incompetence of replacement refs. There is NO way they can do the job well. The NFL game is too fast and too intense for crews of total rookies to handle. How sad.

Also, if any D-I ref worked as a replacement ref, they'd be done in NCAA ball. I know of a guy who did this the last time and he never worked D-I again. Reffing is a fraternity and loyalties run deep.

Actually there is a woman official at the D1 level that is likely to be an NFL official in the future from what I am hearing that is not this woman working now. So she might be the first, but she might not be the first picked the right way.

And there is already evidence that people from the D1 and lower college level are not going to get their jobs back or lose a lot of their standing. I know I benefited by this situation this year and picked up some games because of this NFL situation. And now unless I mess up now I could get a position because the guys that left may never come back.

Peace

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Actually there is a woman official at the D1 level that is likely to be an NFL official in the future from what I am hearing that is not this woman working now. So she might be the first, but she might not be the first picked the right way.

REPLY: You're right. The one you're referring to is Sarah Thomas, and I hear that the NFL is keeping a close eye on her right now. She's currently working in C-USA and worked the 2009 Little Caesar's Bowl (OK...so it wasn't the Rose Bowl). She's got some good credentials.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: You're right. The one you're referring to is Sarah Thomas, and I hear that the NFL is keeping a close eye on her right now. She's currently working in C-USA and worked the 2009 Little Caesar's Bowl (OK...so it wasn't the Rose Bowl). She's got some good credentials.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah last spring at a clinic. Personally, I can't wait to see her on an NFL sideline.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: You're right. The one you're referring to is Sarah Thomas, and I hear that the NFL is keeping a close eye on her right now. She's currently working in C-USA and worked the 2009 Little Caesar's Bowl (OK...so it wasn't the Rose Bowl). She's got some good credentials.

She is probably going to be the regular NFL official to work in the NFL. Time will tell but I would love to see it happen if she is really that good.

Peace

[jTheUmp]

Local MN columnist joins in with the replacement-ref bashing:
Souhan: Replacement refs are bad for business | StarTribune.com

Money quote:

The real problem with the replacement refs isn't that one of them might wear a Saints shirt.

The real problem with the replacement refs is they haven't earned the right to wear Hochuli's.

Amen.