Throwing The Flag On The NFL

The NFL’s replacement refs are continuing to hurt the game

These replacement referees have got to go, period.  We desperately need the real guys back.  What is happening in the National Football League right now is a disgrace.  Because these zebras have no idea what they’re doing, this season is quickly getting out of hand.  They have absolutely no control over the games, and it’s only going to get worse.  They continue to make horrible calls they shouldn’t and miss the ones they should.  When such inept officiating negatively affects the games like this, it becomes a complete farce.  Especially in the close games, it is extremely difficult for anyone to determine who actually won or was the better team because so many points are being put up on the board that shouldn’t be.

Where did the NFL even get these guys?  Certainly they’re not division one college refs because those guys already have good jobs.  Why would any of them give up their position and jeopardize their reputation by throwing themselves into this NFL fiasco?  Were they high school refs?  Arena League?  Saturday flag football?  Where did they come from?!

The point is that Roger Goodell makes $20 million a year while the refs make dirt.  In the NBA, NHL and MLB, referees and umpires earn around $125,000 to $140,000 a year, whereas the NFL refs only take in anywhere from $25,000 to $70,000 at best.  Goodell should be ashamed of himself.  Why can’t he sacrifice some of his own dough for the sake of the game?  And where exactly does he invest the money that the league gets from when he fines a player or coach every other second, for sneezing, or saying something politically incorrect?  In the sports world, the NFL is a powerhouse beyond powerhouses.  It’s even bordering on being a monopoly.  While Goodell and the NFL continue to rake in millions, the refs are earning less than your average truck driver.  Every game the refs are surrounded by people making 400 to 500 times the amount a year, to what they make.  And out of any job in the sports, referee is by far the least rewarding.  Even the real refs are verbally abused every week.  They receive none of the credit while receiving all the blame.  They deserve more.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell makes 400 times the amount a year to that of the league referees

At this rate we could have one of the worst ever NFL season on our hands.  If the replacement refs continue to call these games, something really, really bad might happen.  It’s only week three and already we have ‘heads being called for’.  Not only are the replacements inept at officiating, they cannot put their foot down and take control of the games.  They are like ‘substitute teachers’ who lack any kind of authority.  Players are constantly fighting and getting away with penalties, while coaches are berating and harassing them, running up and down the sidelines, running onto the field and even chasing them into the locker rooms.  It’s becoming a circus.  And it’s sad.  It’s time Goodell wakes up because the integrity of game is in question.  Because of concussions and the overall dangerous nature of the sport, the league is already losing future fans.  And now with this referee debacle, the future of the NFL doesn’t seem so bright.

As much as we all hate referees, it is now time we show them their deserved respect.  We need them back desperately.  You don’t know what you have until you lose it.  And if Goodell doesn’t respect these guys and give them what they want, we all might lose something even bigger.