The biggest and most scandalous activity in sports, as of late, has been the officiating crews. I'm not talking about the Tim Donaghy conspiracy of biased calls in basketball, but just pure stupidity in calls from the last month. The 2 most highlighted: the interception touchdown in Monday Night Football between the Packers and Seahawks, and the other being the umpires possibly ending the Braves season. September was full of referee mishaps as they called incorrect penalties, placed the ball on the wrong yardlines, read the decisive chain game wrong, and did not understand the concept of coming down with possession. The replacement refs were an embarrassment to the NFL, as they continuously blew calls that changed the outcome of games, and possibly alter a team's playoff hopes. The one thing that may be worse than the replacement refs and their oblivious yellow flags and hand motions, is the umpires from Friday night's Braves/Cardinals game. An infield fly rule in left field? Seriously? That was one of the worst calls I have ever seen, and may once again change what happens in October baseball. That wasn't the only bad call of this year. Early in the season, Todd Helton was clearly off the bag when the 1st base umpire, Tim Welke, called Jerry Hairston out. Although it wasn't this year, who could forget the infamous Jim Joyce's call that cost Armando Gallarga perfection.
After last night, I started wondering, "Who are these people, that are making these calls?" I have developed much inquiry about the validity and qualifications of the refs and umpires. Are they just naturally stupid? Or, is there another force overpowering them, affecting what is carried out on the field? The latter option seems more realistic and has been questioned, as I mentioned Donaghy before. This reminds me of the Buffalo Wild Wings commercial from a few years ago, where everyone is having a great time watching the game at the bar, and the bartender calls into the field a series of obstacles to delay the game. Maybe the current state isn't as extreme as sprinklers going off in the kicker's face, but it is a possibility that officials are under the influence, as television says. There has to be a better way for the league to review who is on the field, deciding how games pan out. Whether it be closer monitoring and tighter background checks, or even putting a lawful official in the league to oversee that the refs are fair, much like Keensaw Mountain Landis taking over professional baseball after the Black Sox Scandal. I understand the refs are only human, and that everyone makes mistakes, but I can't stand watching games, seasons, and history changing as the result of poor officiating jobs.
If you have Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, Isuggest that you look up MLB Memes or NFL Memes to have a laugh about all the calls the officials have blown.
After last night, I started wondering, "Who are these people, that are making these calls?" I have developed much inquiry about the validity and qualifications of the refs and umpires. Are they just naturally stupid? Or, is there another force overpowering them, affecting what is carried out on the field? The latter option seems more realistic and has been questioned, as I mentioned Donaghy before. This reminds me of the Buffalo Wild Wings commercial from a few years ago, where everyone is having a great time watching the game at the bar, and the bartender calls into the field a series of obstacles to delay the game. Maybe the current state isn't as extreme as sprinklers going off in the kicker's face, but it is a possibility that officials are under the influence, as television says. There has to be a better way for the league to review who is on the field, deciding how games pan out. Whether it be closer monitoring and tighter background checks, or even putting a lawful official in the league to oversee that the refs are fair, much like Keensaw Mountain Landis taking over professional baseball after the Black Sox Scandal. I understand the refs are only human, and that everyone makes mistakes, but I can't stand watching games, seasons, and history changing as the result of poor officiating jobs.
If you have Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, Isuggest that you look up MLB Memes or NFL Memes to have a laugh about all the calls the officials have blown.
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