The Southwest Voice

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Whether it’s major league sports or your little brothers Pop Warner football league, everyone these days seem to be tough on many of our sports officials. Some that are top paid professionals, and many who do not receive any indulgences for their service, and worse yet a lack of respect from both players and fans alike on all levels of play.

So many times it appears that players, coaches and fans are completely off their meds again!

I have many personal experiences but one in particular that recently occurred, making headline news. Veteran NFL referee Ed Hochuli, made what some are calling an unexplainable call that likely cost the San Diego Chargers a loss against divisional rivals, the Denver Broncos last Sunday.

The play occurred with the Broncos at the Chargers 1-yard-line in the final minute. Denver quarterback Jay Cutler dropped back to pass, the ball slipped out of his hands, bounced off the grass and into the arms of San Diego linebacker Tim Dobbins. Hochuli ruled it an incomplete pass. Replay ruled it a fumble, but it was spotted at the 10-yard line, where the ball hit the ground, and given to Denver because the rules did not permit possession to be awarded to San Diego because the whistle had blown. Most are claiming that the play should have never been blown dead? Leaving many Charger fans wondering, why would it even occurred to Hochuli to blow his whistle, therefore ending the play and any chance that the Chargers would gain possession deep in Denver territory.

Hochuli acknowledged that he erred on the call. Apparently, that is not enough for over zealous fans and owners that would like to blame a loss not on how poorly they played their opponent, but by poor officiating alone.

I remember as a young athlete once being told by a respected coach, that if the team really felt they had lost on one bad officiating call, then the team deserved to lose. Meaning if you played your opponent well enough, one call should not change the outcome of a game. I tend to agree for the most.

Officials are subjected to pretty “colorful” criticism at times but, because they thoroughly understand the passion that motivates players, coaches and parents, they normally take criticism with admirable patience. As in this case, Hochuli has publicly admitted apologized, and taken responsibility for his error. This, however, does not mean that insulting referees is “part of the game” which seems to be the popular belief.  It seems that more and more incidents parallel a Domestic Violence scene, involving insults, profane language and some that involve actual physical contact being made to or by the official. Questioning the honesty and integrity of officials, players, fans and coaches alike.

Many arguments arise from coaches, players, parents, and spectators not understanding the rules, referencing outdated rules and even sometimes, yes, not knowing the rules at all. However, it is also true that arguments also result from referees failing to make calls or making wrong calls for a variety of reason ranging from poor positioning during the game to unfamiliarity with a specific rule.

 Last but not least is that sports officials at any level are human and are capable of making mistakes.