If that last article is accurate, every officer involved should be fired. Unfortunately they're not personally liable.

I totally agree. We are not going to be invisible even if we do not throw our flag or blow our whistle. We can be noticed because of what we do not call in certain moments in the game. This is an old and silly standard that does not work in this day an age of social media and phone camera video.

Peace

So, the official was actually doing as we suggested and going to game management. This makes the arrest 100 times worse, IMO.

Was it ever an actual standard? Or was it always what it is now, a made up standard from people who don't know anything about officiating?

I cannot answer from where the standard came from, but I have heard a lot of official claim being "unseen" or not noticed is a great thing. Not sure why, but that seems to be the case for many. It just is ridiculous when you consider all the times we come under scrutiny and we are simply doing our job.

Peace

If my choices are to be: 1) as visible as possible, or 2) as invisible as possible ... I'm choosing #2. It is a goal. Mind you, it's not the only one nor the most important one. But, if we have a choice in the matter, choosing to be less inconspicuous is a solid choice, IMO.

If you are motivated at ALL by whether you are visible or invisible, they your motivation is flawed. Being either is not a goal. Our visibility, high or low, is a variable completely unrelated to whether we called a good game or not. No offense, but if you ever, even once, make a decision on the field based on a choice to be inconspicuous, then frankly you shouldn't be out there at all.

Must be poor training in your area, I've not heard it from varsity officials here. ;)

I completely agree with you from a "making calls" standpoint. My thought was the release from the New Orleans officials group was trying to make the point the officials were not trying to be gregarious and draw attention to themselves. That's where I'm coming from with regard to visibility vs. invisibility.

I agree, it shouldn't even be a consideration. Anyone who has any desire one way or the other with regard to visibility needs to reassess the goals.

Don't do things to be noticed. Don't do things to avoid being noticed. Just do what needs to get done.

Even outside of making calls, though, it shouldn't be a concern either way. For example, the official indicated he was going to talk to game management; that's the right thing to do whether it draws extra attention or not. Moving people off the sideline is the right thing to do.

I agree that trying to be visible is not a goal. Where you went off the rails, imho, is stating that trying to be invisible IS a goal.

No goal should include visibility vs invisibility in it at all. It's a by product.

Any one able to find out any more info, like the court booking document.

Maybe the new chief will be sufficiently embarrassed that he cleans house.