AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > February > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIt’s time to lay off the refs and enjoy the game
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
There is an epidemic in sports that has to stop. Whether we’re talking about the big leagues or pee wee, our favorite pastime isn’t baseball or football. It is blasting the stripes off the officials whenever they have the audacity to do more than breathe during a game. Such venom also has been spewed at umpires, who suddenly are viewed as more despicable at ballparks than cold hot dogs and warm beer.
So, if you’re among those wringing their hands over a problem that really doesn’t exist, what’s your solution? Extending the use of instant replay? Mass firings and hirings by leagues when it comes to those calling games? Robots? How about a select committee from Congress making a decision on every play?
Well, here’s my humble advice to all of those who don’t realize that officiating and umpiring never has been better in most leagues and at nearly every level:
Shut up and play.
Shut up and coach.
Shut up and watch.
No question, officials and umpires have produced dramatic gaffes, exemplified during this college basketball season when the refs wouldn’t reverse an erroneously called technical on University of Houston coach Tom Penders after he dropped to the court due to heart problems. You also have those other botched calls of lore, ranging from the Immaculate Reception to Don Denkinger snatching a world championship from the St. Louis Cardinals to Colorado’s fifth down in college football.
Those were flukes, though, which means the longest and the loudest of grumbling over umpiring and officiating is misplaced more often than not. Take Super Bowl XL, for instance. Contrary to popular belief, the Pittsburgh Steelers did more to defeat the Seattle Seahawks than the zebras.
“It’s because people see the replays in a big game like that, but they really don’t know the rules,” said Frank Glover Sr., who really does. He worked 17 years as an accomplished football official in the SIAC without missing a game before he did the same for 17 more years in the NFL through the late 1980s. He also is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
Since retiring from the field, Glover has worked for the league as a talent evaluator of officials. I’m limited in space, so you’ll have to trust me on this: He found something in the NFL rulebook to support each of the supposedly controversial calls against the Seahawks during the Super Bowl. Said Glover, who has spent the past 58 of his 74 years in Atlanta, “I think that NFL officiating is at its best now. It’s because of instant replay. We really didn’t like it at first, but it has helped the credibility of all officials. It shows that they are way more right than wrong.”
Such is the case in every sport and at every level. So is the whining. You have the NBA, for instance, where Phil Jackson is exposing himself as a guy who needs the likes of a Michael or a Shaq to prosper. As a result, Jackson is inventing conspiracies involving referees and his shaky Lakers. Elsewhere, umpires supposedly helped the Braves win those division titles by giving Cy Maddux, Cy Glavine and Cy Smoltz strikes within a couple of zip codes of the outside corner. Plus, we all know that Duke continues to dribble near greatness every year in college basketball because of whistles instead of talent.
What a joke. At this rate, a blown call (or a perceived one) might get you something just shy of capital punishment. The truth is that teams always have lost more because of what they didn’t do than what an official, referee or umpire actually did. And, yes, I’m biased. The job that I enjoyed the most behind the one I’ve had for nearly three decades was umpiring youth baseball throughout my teenage years. The stomping and the screaming that I encountered back then as an umpire prepared me for what I occasionally face now as a columnist. You need toughness for both jobs.
That’s why I have softness for officiating and umpiring. That’s also why I nodded when Glover told the truth by saying, “Now they [officials and umpires] might commit an error sometime. They might be inconclusive sometime.” Then Glover added after a pause, “But not too often.”
Permalink | Comments (53) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Falcons / NFL, Hawks / NBA, Tech / ACC, Terence Moore, Thrashers / NHL, UGA / SEC
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By SteveO
February 15, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this
Why don’t you do the shutting up!! Its obvious that you don’t actually watch the games. ACC refs are the worst refs I have ever seen in any sports at any level. Bad calls here and there are fine. It happens. However, to suck that bad and for people to say there is nothing wrong. Give me a break. ACC refs have cost GT at least….AT LEAST 7 games over the last two years. I think there is something wrong with them.
By Ty
February 15, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
Mr. ‘T’,
TECHNICAL FOUL ON AJC WRITER…TWO SHOTS AND THE BALL!
You’re telling us that your credentials to be a sportswriter and ‘officials’ expert is umpiring LITTLE LEAGUE?!?!? NOW it all makes sense!
I’ll grant you that every losing team looks at officials as part of the reason (in tight contests). But you must accept the fact that the atheletes are better, faster, stronger and the games move at a much higher speed each year. That said, how do 55-65 year old men ‘keep up’ (when they probably need reading glasses just to read your articles)?
I don’t think it’s time to ‘lighten up’ on the officials. I thik it IS time for the sports leagues to insist that their officiating crews ‘keep up’ with the game and work ‘overly hard’ to ensure it’s officiated fairly.
Yes, I’m one of those that has watched a lot of sports (in person and on the tube). Our Braves DID get an extra wide strike zone…Duke DOES get a ‘home advantage’ in all games …The NFL referees CANNOT keep up with the speed of today’s game.
The stories are rampant of circumstances where officials are ‘checking the book’, ‘being guided by the coaches and players’, and ‘focusing on one thing at a time’ vs. watching all the action in front of them impartially.
You want us to ‘lighten up’? Then help push the NFL to get young, competent officials (and a replay official in the booth)…push b-ball refs to ‘do their job’ instead of ‘control the game’…. and let go of the ‘LITTLE LEAGUE’ referee experience as your credentials to ‘make the call’.
By Tyler
February 15, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this
Hey, all you whiners, screamers and cry babies! I have officiated from the peewees to the semi-pro level (5 different sports), 8 years and counting and yes, there are the bad calls made everyday…get over it! Move on and watch the games…oh, one more thing, until you you have actually been an official for at least 2 years in 2 sports, you pick them, shut up and sit down!!!! Trust me, coming from an athlete, IT IS a different view than from where the fans sit, at the arena or on the couch! Your Call boys…
By SteveO
February 15, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
If you acually watched GT games for the past two years, you would know what we are talking about. I understand that bad calls are sometimnes made, but not EVERY call!!!!
By Mosby
February 15, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this
The biggest whiner at the AJC whining about whining? Interesting.
By OG-T
February 15, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this
Imagine writing an article with 5, 8, 10 errors per entry. Or how ‘bout if I made a handful of mistakes every day on the job.Even worse, how ‘bout if they were the same mistakes over and over again. You and I would be fired. Same goes for the refs. Half those guys have their heads up Coach K’s and Coach Williams you know what. And I can’t believe the way ACC refs let Tyler Hansborough get away with all his BS flops, not to mention his one arm hooks on defenders when he spins on them. I saw THREE in the second half alone — he loves to hook his man. And check out his hands on defense. Every time an opposing low post man catches the ball, Hansborough puts both forearms and a pelvic thrust on them. On the other end, if a defender exhales on Hansborough he’s getting two shots. No doubt about it, the refs have their darlings on the court, and on the sidelines. And you’re blind if you don’t think that impacts EVERY game. In fact, MR. MOORE, give it a try. Make five or six mistakes in your next article … maybe even make the same errors multiple times. And screw up the headline too, as well as the ending. I bet it will change the complexion of your story.
By Ty
February 15, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this
OG-T
Hats off to your blog…. the middle sagged a bit, but the opening and closing were ‘spot-on’. I concur with your assessment that there are few jobs where you’re allowed multiple mistakes continuously without consequence.
And, Tyler, I hope you’re not a surgeon (even with two ‘specialties’) who believes you can have 5-6 mistakes regularly without consequence! I understand your assertion that ‘it is a hard job’. But the level of expertise is mandated by the level (I promise I never yelled at you while you did your job with the pee-wee league).
If the coach has 5-6 mistakes a game, he’s gone soon. If a player does so, he ‘rides the pine’…If an announcer does it, he’s soon all over the front page of the papers and possibly out of work….But I guess your logic would be that these guys have an ‘easy job’ compared to the zebras.
By Iowahorse
February 16, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this
Eh,..no. I’ve followed your articles for a few years now, and while I respect what you say, even if I don’t always if not agree with you, you are flat here.
This was some of the worst play calling in the NFL that I have seen this year. Some calls will be missed, and blown,..that’s a given. Much more calls will be correct, that is also a given, but this year officiating in the NFL has blown goats, and they either need (yet another) a refresher course meeting or fired, because there were too many pathetic, wasted, and wrong calls this last season and it’s absurd you’d even try to defend them as a whole.
By Nice Job
February 16, 2006 02:26 AM | Link to this
Did this article really need to be written? You’ve got an audience of thousands and an opportunity to write about the most pressing issues in sports, and this is what you come up with? Once the producers of Around the Horn get their eyes on this I’m sure TM will get an invite.
Who edits the sports section? What article or topic doesn’t make the cut? What a pathetic news paper.
I just hope ESPN or Sports Illustrated don’t start cherry picking the AJC’s fine journalists.
By James Stephenson
February 16, 2006 06:58 AM | Link to this
To me, there were only 2 bad calls in the Superbowl. The holding that if not called gave the Seahawks the ball at their 2. And the non-fumble call on the Seahawks TE. That was a fumble no question.
The touchdown, we could not see it on the replay, but maybe the official could.
The push-off, if a WR extends their arm out completely while touching the Defensive player it will always be called pass interference.
By Miked
February 16, 2006 07:45 AM | Link to this
What is more likely? ( 1) refs with hundreds of games experience officiating and standing 10 feet away from the play make the right call OR (2) rabid fans who have never called a game, who are completely biased for one team, are sitting 200+ feet away, and dont know the rule details make the right call.
Unfortunately, there is psychology at work - when a call goes against your team, you remember it clearly, but the ones that go the other way fade quickly from your brain. Therefore, at the end of the day you are certain that the refs were against your team.
By David
February 16, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
Can anyone explain what to me was the most baffling call in Super Bowl XL? What was the grounds for penalizing Hasselbeck 15 yards for an illegal block when he was tackling the man with the ball? Can the defensive team even make an illegal block? Nobody talks about this, but it tacked on 15 yards onto the interception run back that set up Pitt’s most important touchdown, the gadget play.
By wes
February 16, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
BOOOOOORRRRRRIIIIIINNNNGGGG.
By makito
February 16, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this
Mistakes on calls are a part of the games. Thank God for officials. Without them we would have to admit that when our team gets beat it was because they were the worst team on that day on that field. Roll Tide!
By Brian
February 16, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
I am a football official and proud of it! As Tyler stated, I would challenge anyone to put on the stripes and experience what it is like to call a game, at any level. Our primary purpose is to allow the contest to be played fairly, safely and within the rules of the game. You must understand the rules of the sport and know how to apply the rules to game situations. Through my experience, it has become very evident that most fans do not fully understand the rules. This misunderstanding leads to unwarranted heckling by parents, fans and coaches.
“Nice Job” wrote about the need to address the most pressing issue in sports. Guess what! The most pressing issue is the lack of sportsmanship among players and coaches. Why is sportsmanship an issue? Players, especially younger players, hear the heckling and see the disrespctful behavior by coaches and fans at all levels. They begin to think it is okay to berate opponents and officials. Well it is not okay. It seems that most of the hecklers forget that it is only a game!
Terence, good column.
Again, I challenge everyone to contact your nearest sports officials association. Try it for two years. You may find that you gain a different perspective and appreciation for the game, the athletes, the coaches and, yes, the officials.
By Big D
February 16, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
For the first time I got to disagree with you Mr.Moore. How can you sit back and enjoy a game when it is obvious that the refs are cheating or are just making bad calls…..THIS TAKES THE FUN OUT OF SPORTS.. You obviously have never played a sport before, because nothing hurts more than to lose a game because of bad calls. The fact of the matter is, majority of sports have been rigged since the first competition ever staged, look at all the controversy with Grestsky and gambling, men always cheat when money and sports are concerned, and what the easiest way to cheat?? that’s right influence the refs. I don’t care what anyone says, The Steelers did not deserve to win the Superbowl, this was a case of cheating. THERE IS NO WAY TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY A GAME WHEN THE REFS ARE CHEATING OR WHEN THE REFS ARE MAKING BAD CALLS………
By Ala Jim
February 16, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
I think you’re right on TM. I saw some calls go against Pittsburg that weren’t called and the holding call against Seattle would have been called by a half blind man.
By Matthew ... oops, I meant, BirdDawgie
February 16, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
I was once one of the world’s most promising referees in a number of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, figure skating, curling, and cross-dressing.
Alas, what would have undoubtably been a brilliant career was cut short by a tragic knee injury. As you probably know, the events leading up to this injury were immortalized in the recent motion picture “Brokeback Mountain”.
But … don’t cry for me, Atlanta. I STILL look great in pink chiffon, and I can STILL belt out “It’s Raining Men” like NOBODY’S business!
Hallelujah!
By brewerfaninATL
February 16, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
WWWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! You know what, they’re all history, done with…get over it! You whiners who cry about the ‘97 Braves/Marlins playoff game can go cry me a river! You have some nerve when your pitchers (Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Neagle, etc.) got just as fair as a strike zone as Livan did in that ONE game…playoffs included, as they got, and STILL get in their whole careers! And to Steve-O who cries about Tech getting jobbed 7 times or so, I seem to recall the GaTech/Wisconsin game in Atlanta a few years back and the refs made some very questionable calls against us (Wisconsin) that could have been the difference for us, as we lost by like 2 points. You know what? Refs are human and have and WILL make mistakes. Remember, the refs have to make these calls in a split second where many don’t have the luxurious vantage points that we fans do. Instant replay has been great as some of the questionable calls get overturned correctly. By the way, the Seahawks didn’t lose the game because of the refs. (even though the “fat walrus” thinks so)…they lost because the Steelers made more big plays then the Seahawks did, plain and simple! It’s funny, when Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz and Co. were getting their “strikes” none of you were complaining…interesting!
By Rick
February 16, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
What a bunch of crap! ACC basketball officials might as well wear blue stripes in place of black. It’s not just GT on the short end, it’s the entire conference
Last night GT had 15 calls in the first 10 minutes. Hansbrough scored 40 because of the unusual number of fouls called on Tech. Hansbrough is a great freshman, but Tech was not allowed to defend in the 2nd half.
ACC basketball has serious problems with officiating at this point. Mark Bradley was dead on the his posting earlier this week.
The pecking order is Duke, then UNC. Other than that, I suppose it’s neutral.
By eb
February 16, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
Hats off to your blog on the complaining part. I am reminded of how ugly it looks when I see my kids do it either watching or playing sports. So we have all got to learn to shut up and play some during the game.
That being said how does one explain UNC only being called for 16 fouls last night and GT having 31. Every other ACC game last night had a nearly even distribution. Are we really to believe that the tarheels aggressive D in the second half was nearly flawless in its application? Or is the perceived bias that UNC and Duke enjoy pampered whistles in the ACC really have some basis in truth? Are they that much better that they don’t commit the reach ins etc. or do they get the benefit of the doubt as is has been argued by folks such as Mark Bradley and Gary Williams.
By Big D
February 16, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
The question is??????? Are the refs really making honest mistakes.. Or, are they cheating due to the fact they have been paid off????((If Pres. Bush can steal an election due to cheating what makes you guys think that people are’nt cheating in reference to sports, If Bush can lie about weapons of mass distruction and get away with it, what makes you think people are not cheating when it comes down to sports, That’s all we as Americans do is cheat, lie, steal and discriminate… So don’t sit back and try to pretend sports are honest and fair, just because your team won ….This is America for Crying Out Loud!!!
By Tim
February 16, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
I am so sick of the “Cy Maddux” “Cy Glavine” and “Cy Smoltz” references. I am a huge Braves fan, but that is corny and tired.
I wonder if one of these terible calls went against Notre Dame, if Terence would feel the same way. Doubt it.
By TheJackAss
February 16, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore…..Cy Maddux?…Cy Glavine?…Cy Smoltz?…..are you upset because they all happen to be Cy WHITE?…………
By Ed
February 16, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, If this article is all you can come up with after 30 years of writing then maybe you need to go back to what you love to do so much.Your inabilty to bring intersting topics to the table never ceases to amaze me,and when you do have a thought with intrest you spin it in to a race thing. My suggestion to you T.M. is to SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!!!!
By Curly
February 16, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this
I have been registered with GHSA and GISA since 1971. I am still able work a full schedule of assignments in Georgia, including being selected to work in this years state tournaments. We are always looking for new young men and women to keep the ball rolling. However, those of you that constantly whine and find fault would not qualify in our fraternity. Stay on the sidelines where it’s safe.
By popdaddy
February 16, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this
Officiating has done more to ruin sports than anything else. I’ll enjoy the games when the officials sit down and shut up!
By JackAss
February 16, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
Hey Curly……Have you seen Moe or Larry lately?…
By Curly
February 16, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Jackass, I worked two games last Saturday with Moe and Larry. Half of the fans seemed happy with our efforts.
By Paul
February 16, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
SteveO, the refs cost GT 7 games the last two years? That must be a record! I always just thought it was because Tech sucks at basketball.
By JackAss
February 16, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Curly—the only way you worked 2 games last Saturday was from under the bleachers!
By Robert
February 16, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
No one should ever have absolute power. Without a system of checks and balances, then there is corruption. This includes the refs.
I do think that ACC refs favor certain teams. For example, look at the fouls called against UNC and against GA Tech in last nights game. The numbers do not lie. UNC was not passive - they were playing just as hard if not harded than Tech.
These types of inequities must be addressed.
An errant call now and then is one thing. Establishing a pattern of unfairness is something totally different.
By George
February 16, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this
I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY. No matter what sport you into your team will get calls sometimes and the other gets calls sometimes. But over the span of the game it normally equals itself out. Nobody is perfect and even with instant replay it still is not perfect. Just try and tell me in Rothisberger got in or not. You cant!! Umpires and refs and that flavor to the game that keeps us glued to our seats. Just like the guy that said refs cost 7 losses to Georgia Tech. Please if the team was any good there is no way they would lose 7 games anyway. It works just my favorite saying THAT IS THE WAY THE BALL BOUNCES. I have never heard of a saying that says Thats how umpire called it. The reason is a team holds there own destiny in their hands. If they dont play up to there potential every night they could slip and one call could make a difference in a Win or Lose. Just look at DUKE vs. GEORGE TOWN this year. Duke did not play up to there potential and let a lesser team bet them. The refs did not do that!!!!
By DIRRTYBIRD
February 16, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
I have officiated 2 different sports on many different levels, and I can say that if you suck as an official you shouldn’t be doing it. If you don’t know the rule book, don’t put on the uniform. The bottom line is to get the call right, and in pro sports there is too much officiating ego involved. Put a camera on the goal line so you know if there was a touchdown or not. Put a sensor in the ball so you know exactly where the play was stopped. Take as much human judgement out of officiating as you can, because human judgement is often bad judgement. Professional sports is full of bad officiating, and it’s really a shame. People who are officiating are just trying to get it right, they make mistakes, and so there needs to be a method to simply get the call right if the officials screw it up. One of those ways is to hold official accountable. I think another way is to install more cameras and an electronic sensor in the ball.
By Shawn
February 16, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
Great article, thank you. With the advent of instant replay, super super slow motion and 300 cameras covering every conceivable angle the job of referee in any sport has become extremely difficult indeed. From the “Strike Zone” computer graphic on ESPN’s baseball coverage to hockey’s net cam the job of the couch referee has gotten incredibly easy over the last few years. The tough part, as it has always been, is the job of the guys on the field with 22 300 pound men running 4.0 forties!! Officiating, whether good or bad, has always been a part of sports. Keeping the human element in our games is paramount. We shouldn’t sterilize games played by men by using computers to perfect officiating. Yelling at the refs is half the fun of the homefield advantage!!
By Valerie
February 16, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this
I AGREE WITH STEVE O. THE REFS DID COST TECH A LOT OF GAMES AND I KNOW THEY WERE HORRIBLE AT MARYLAND-TECH GAME. MY HUSBAND WONDER SOMETIMES IF THEY ARE BEING KIND OF RACIST.
LOT OF THEM NEED TO HAVE MORE TRAINING AND BE OPEN MINDED AND PLAY FAIR BUT THEY DONT. MAYBE WE NEED MORE REF ON THE COURT TWO ON EACH SIDE
By George
February 16, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Come on guys you are just getting retarded now. It does not matter if we put a SENSOR in the ball or not there is always some idiot will say “OH MAN THAT BALL IS RIGED.” It does not matter if there is 20 refs on the floor of at a GT game somebody will still complain. Refs and Umps bring fun to the game and the game should STAY PURE!!!!!!!!!
By GM
February 16, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
Terence, if you can tell me as a fan to shut up, then I’d like to tell you something:
SHUT UP !!!
If you take our advice, we’ll consider yours.
By DIRRTYBIRD
February 16, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
If you want to get the call right, don’t leave it up to human judgement. It is a game of inches afterall right? Let the players bring excitement to the game, not a bad call from the referees.
By old Tech Fan (in NC)
February 16, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
it would be nice if they were cosisitant for the entire game….any game…
By old Tech Fan (in NC)
February 16, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
consistant
By old Tech Fan (in NC)
February 16, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
tEnt
By Ga_Tech_92
February 16, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Does officiating make a difference? Let’s see, just looking at the Tech UNC game last night.
2 point buckets: GT 27, UNC 28 3 point buckets: GT 9, UNC 3 But wait!! I thought GT lost? How could that be when they obviously shot the lights out compared to UNC.
OH…I forgot the stat determined by the refs: Fouls GT 31, UNC 16.
Let me get this straight, GT shoots the lights out; however, UNC wins because they got 15 extra free points…er…free throws. (note: both teams shot nearly the same FT%) UNC only wins by 7…so if the refs weren’t blowing the whistle every time #50 was touched, then we win by 7. Interesting…oddly enough…the guys on the floor won what they had control of…but the refs handed the 15 freebies to UNC…at UNC…coincidence? Twice as many free throws = insurmountable advantage that night. Next time we have to shoot 100 from three pointers I guess?…reasonable and fair to be sure.
By Shut up.
February 16, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this
Please, Moore(on). Shut up. How do we enjoy a game when we’re getting unfairly fouled out the @$$? We would’ve won against UNC if it wasn’t for fouls. They were just as bad in the previous years, but the Tech team was better….wait, not better, just more experienced.
Take into consideration the football team. There was an article on here about Reggie’s 4th down throw-away. It stated that the scoreboard at Sanford Stadium read 3rd down. Guess who also told Reggie it was 3rd down? THE REFS. When Reggie complained after the play, the ref gave him the cold shoulder, which is just rude. This year, the primary unfairness was on Tech’s WR’s (yes, even Calvin Johnson). The WR’s were shoved, choked, and (in the case against UGA) clotheslined. Very few fouls were called against the other team.
By Shut up.
February 16, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this
Please, Moore(on). Shut up. How do we enjoy a game when we’re getting unfairly fouled out the @$$? We would’ve won against UNC if it wasn’t for fouls. They were just as bad in the previous years, but the Tech team was better….wait, not better, just more experienced.
Take into consideration the football team. There was an article on here about Reggie’s 4th down throw-away. It stated that the scoreboard at Sanford Stadium read 3rd down. Guess who also told Reggie it was 3rd down? THE REFS. When Reggie complained after the play, the ref gave him the cold shoulder, which is just rude. This year, the primary unfairness was on Tech’s WR’s (yes, even Calvin Johnson). The WR’s were shoved, choked, and (in the case against UGA) clotheslined. Very few fouls were called against the other team.
By Huck
February 16, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this
Great piece. I’d like to add one more point: many in the media whine as much as the fans about officials. They are worse than fans because they are supposed to be professionals. You are a stand-up guy and I really appreciate it that somebody finally addressed this endless stupidity.
As for all you Atlanta Whiners? Heck, you’re just doing what fans are supposed to do (me too), but guess what? No matter what you think, the refs and umps are not out to get you. By the way. Mr. Moore is a racist. Please put a sock in that.
By brewerfaninATL
February 16, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Shut Up: Why don’t you SHUT UP, you whiny crybaby jerk! GaTech lost the game because they blew it, not because of the fouls. Tech folded like a deck of cards when they had the big lead, they couldn’t handle the pressure, DEAL WITH IT! Tech stinks this year and it sure as heck ain’t because of the officials! The problem with you is that you don’t know when to give the other team credit. You laugh and say Tech is a national title contender when they win (which is pretty rare this year), but when they lose, you blame it on the officials…the easy copout! I’m sure when Illinois-Chicago laid a big-league whuppin on you, you blamed the refs. there too, huh?
By Edward
February 16, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this
Why is some stupid as hell Milwaukee Brewer fan even on an AJC blog?!?! Go away!!! I’m sure there are some Milwaukee or Chicago newspapers that run blogs. Go waste your hatred on those. Theres too many fools like you moving to Atlanta anyways. I wish there was some sort of filter I could put on my computer to screen out “brewerfans” comments. Thats a service I would pay for. “Hi, I’m Brewerfan! I like Atlanta, but I love to talk trash and spew filth about local teams and ramble on and on about how great my stupid yankee teams are! Blah blah blah blah blah!!! People care about my Badgers! Yippeeeee!!!” Go back to the trash city of Milwaukee and don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ty
February 16, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
Two last comments on this one and I’m on to other topics…
1) If refs don’t make the difference, then I guess the KC Royals owe Don Dimkinger an apology for that 3rd out in the World Series years ago that would have given the Royals the World Series….and,
2) I guess we owe the Russians an apology for saying they were ‘given’ the gold medal in 1972 for basketball when the official apparently awarded them 3 tries to take the lead in the last seconds…..
I guess we didn’t realize that it’s such a tough job that they should be given the ‘free pass’ for major errors….OOOPS…I meant getting the call right when the rest of the world disagreed!
By Brian
February 16, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
The refs in north america have it easy. Lets see what would happen if they were in south america or europe. they would get beaten to a pulp or killed so i dont want to here about taking it easy on a ref they should get beaten here for bad calls.
By Bo
February 16, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this
The refs do cheat, make one mad or if he don’t like a pitcher, hitter or coach they will not get the call. Most do it for the money and they all have favorites. I hate to say it but 40 years in GHSA Believe it.
By Special Ed
February 16, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
I’m thspecial dammit!
By willie
February 17, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this
Big D, I’m glad Bush won BOTH ELECTIONs..GORE should be tried for TREASON…