Unloved Referees

In the world of sports, Referees take the blame for almost every loss at every level.  The problem is we are taught at a young age by our parents, coaches, and the media to blame the officials.  I referee high school basketball and youth baseball, flag football, and basketball.  Even at the age of 8 athletes are out on the field telling the referee that they are loosing the game for them.  These kids are not coming up with this by themselves, parents are feeding these thoughts into their heads, that it's the referees fault you lost.  Not that your team just got outplayed on the field or court.  I have had coaches tell me in front of the kids "Hey Ref, you lost this game for us!"  These kids than start blaming the referees for all of their mistakes and it turns into a vicious circle.  Recently in an NFL football game, while the officials were on strike, the Packers lost to the Sea-hawks by a last play pass.  Using video replay we can see that the Referee messed up the call.  But that referee will never hear the end of it.  The packers QB Aaron Rodgers in an interview right after blamed the referee for their loss.  Growing up i was always taught if you let a team not as talented hang around, they will find a way to win.  The Packers lost that game for themselves last night.  They were outplayed by the Sea Hawks and they let them hang around.  The problem in this world is that it is so much easier to blame somebody else for your mistakes.  Referees are forever going to take the blame for every loss, and every athletes mistake.  I don't know if it's the money, or the attention, but  there is something about refereeing that keeps me and so many others coming back!

Matthew Richard

Kin 332i T-Th 2:00 pm