They're not "refs", they're officials!


 
Brad Olson

Brad Olson

TVWBB Platinum Member
<RANT>

I'm about ready to strangle the next person who calls NFL/football game officials "refs". "Ref" is short for "referee", and there is *ONE* referee on the field. Period. Read here:

operations.nfl.com

Interactive: NFL Officials' Roles and Responsibilities | NFL Football Operations

Ever wonder exactly what each @NFL official's roles and responsibilities are on the field? Check out this interactive feature to learn what happens on each play.
operations.nfl.com operations.nfl.com

Want to complain about the calls during a game? Blame the officials. You can even call them "stripes" or "zebras". But aside from one, they're *NOT* referees and shouldn't be referred to as such, even with a nickname. So cut it out.

Even worse, every so often I'll read or hear a reference to baseball umpires as "refs". At that point all I can do is shake my head...

</RANT>
 
Last edited:
Brad Olson said:
<RANT>

I'm about ready to strangle the next person who calls NFL/football game officials "refs". "Ref" is short for "referee", and there is *ONE* referee on the field. Period. Read here:

operations.nfl.com

Interactive: NFL Officials' Roles and Responsibilities | NFL Football Operations

Ever wonder exactly what each @NFL official's roles and responsibilities are on the field? Check out this interactive feature to learn what happens on each play.
operations.nfl.com operations.nfl.com

Want to complain about the calls during a game? Blame the officials. You can even call them "stripes" or "zebras". But aside from one, they're *NOT* referees and shouldn't be referred to as such, even with a nickname. So cut it out.

Even worse, every so often I'll read or hear a reference to baseball umpires as "refs". At that point all I can do is shake my head...

</RANT>
Click to expand...
Breathe in breathe out, hommmmmmm breathe in breathe out hommmmmmm :D
 
I think they are officially wonderful.

As a Patriot’s fan during a 20 year great run my brother and I thought that every time there was a ruling dispute the officials always looked like they looked up a the owner’s box to get some sort of thumbs up or down like you would from a Roman emperor in the coliseum.

Since the Patriots were usually winning calls seemed to usually go our way.
 
Ahhh... But in International Football (FIFA), they are called Refs / Referees.
Back when I had more hair, less pounds, and a whole lot less years, I was a regional ref for AYSO.
 
BPratt said:
I think they are officially wonderful.

As a Patriot’s fan during a 20 year great run my brother and I thought that every time there was a ruling dispute the officials always looked like they looked up a the owner’s box to get some sort of thumbs up or down like you would from a Roman emperor in the coliseum.

Since the Patriots were usually winning calls seemed to usually go our way.
Click to expand...
As a Patriots fans, you and your brother should know better. They looked at Tom Brady for the thumbs up, or the slight nod....
 
Rick P said:
As a Patriots fans, you and your brother should know better. They looked at Tom Brady for the thumbs up, or the slight nod....
Click to expand...
The order of events would be Brady would talk to the official, official would act, officials confer, official looks up at owner’s box or somewhere skyward and favorable call is made.

Probably just perception but made for fun viewing
 
I know there are a lot of umpires in baseball that could REALLY use a seeing eye dog. Thankfully one of the worst (Angel Hernandez) retired. But, quite honestly I am really hoping they bring in electronic balls/strikes sensing and calling and only use the home plate ump to call any plays needed
 
Did they ever start paying them properly?
They used to be part time and had to take off season jobs.

Maybe they suck because they don’t pay enough to get top tier officiating

One of my wife’s co-workers is still in litigation with a Major NFL team over lack of pay issues.
 
I agree with the OP, but I think they will continue to be called refs anyways, because "refs" is easier to say.

My other hobby was drones, and in the early days, people complained "they're not drones, they're UAS's" (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), which is true. It's what FAA calls them. But drones stuck and everybody says drones, because it's one syllable.
 
AndyK said:
Did they ever start paying them properly?
They used to be part time and had to take off season jobs.

Maybe they suck because they don’t pay enough to get top tier officiating

One of my wife’s co-workers is still in litigation with a Major NFL team over lack of pay issues.
Click to expand...
I could of sworn back in the 60's the league was saying they only hired CEO's or heads of business because they made plenty of money and were untouchable for bribes.
 
That’s interesting timothy.
Kinda makes sense, but I know how greed can be.

I do know that one of my favorite teams cheaped out on a person I know.
I don’t want to get overly into this persons details for privacy reasons but this person was expected to do lots tasks for free with the thought that just being there was payment enough.

On a personal note,
I think that an agreement as long as it’s still an agreement should still hold on the labor side of this.
Toss in a few tax laws and I’m lost 🤷‍♂️.
 
AndyK said:
I do know that one of my favorite teams cheaped out on a person I know.
I don’t want to get overly into this persons details for privacy reasons but this person was expected to do lots tasks for free with the thought that just being there was payment enough.
Click to expand...
Bears tried to do that with Olin Kreutz.... Cheapskates.
 
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