Reaction around the league through Tweeter
Well Mr. Godell it finally happened. After the worries from the preseason, the extra time outs given, and officials looking terrified to throw flags your replacement refs have finally done it. They cost a team a game.
And not just any team but the Green Bay Packers just a season away from holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy in triumph- a trophy named after one of their legendary coaches. A fan base so into their team that the Packers are community owned. A group of people so nuts about their team some are naked in December while watching players do the Lambo Leap in 10 degree temperatures.
Godell you’ve got a huge mess on your hands. And soon maybe even blood.
For all you Gals and Pals not understanding what I’m talking about a brief history lesson.
In June, the NFL and the NFL Referees Association did not agree on terms for a new collective bargaining agreement resulting in the current lock out of regular NFL game officials. Thus the replacement ref debacle is born.
These “officials” are from low-level college and high school ranks- none have officiated in the Division I college football ranks because many of the Division I conferences have barred their officials from working NFL games during the lockout because often former and current NFL refs are officiating supervisors.
The big issue keeping the two sides from meeting, money of course as the officials want NFL changes to full-time refs that everyone is fairly compensated. Currently there are 17 officiating crews- one for each team and an alternate. The NFL wants 20. The NFL also wants to convert the refs pensions into 401ks and offer annual compensation increases between 5 and 11 percent. The refs want their pension plans, to remain part-time, and roughly and additional four million dollars a year more in pay.
Four millions dollars to a league that produces billions in revenue is like finding $20 bucks in your pocket on laundry day.
According to the NFL Players Association which had its own labor dispute with the league last year they side with the replacement officials.
Last night proved that the players are on the right side.
In a statement the Players Association said:
“It is lost on us as to how you allow a Commissioner to cavalierly issue suspensions and fines in the name of player health and safety yet permit the wholesale removal of the officials that you trained and entrusted to maintain that very health and safety. If has been reported that the two sides are apart by approximately $60,000 per team. We note that your Commissioner has fined an individual player as much in the name of “safety.” Your actions are looking more and more like simple greed… You cannot simply switch to a group of cheaper officials and fulfill your legal, moral, and duty obligations to us and our fans.”
Last night’s Monday Night Football game between the Packers and the Seattle Seahawks proves this. Here is what happened:
The play that launched a zillion tweets
The players line up for the ball. Safety M.D. Jennings of the Packers grabbed it first. He came down with it and pinned it against his body. Thus an interception for the Packers- but not so fast, Golden Tate, Seattle Wide-out, had a hand on it too.
Here is where the replacement refs messed up. While the entire stadium, viewing audience, sidelines, and the official closest to the pile (who put his arm up to signal the interception or touchback) saw the interception, another official ran in and put up his hands for a touchdown. The official closest to the pile suddenly agrees throwing his hands up too.
Really- touchdown decisions by committee?
That four million dollars that is keeping the real refs off the field seems like pennies now. Especially for the Packers who are 1-2 for the season.
Tags: Golden Tate, Green Bay Packers, Monday Night Football, National Football League, NFL, Packer, Seattle Seahawks, Vince Lombardi Trophy
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