You've GOT to be kidding me!

I'm a big football fan. So despite feeling somewhat ill this evening, I went with my family to watch my high school alma mater play ball against our old hometown rivals. Now, if you know me well enough you know I usually give the refs the benefit of the doubt and I will always acknowledge a good play by the opponent. Tonight, though, I can't say anything good about these referees.

There were two plays that I have serious problems with. And both resulted in touchdowns for our opponents. Play #1 was a kickoff by our team. The ball leaves the tee and takes an immediate high and wide bounce off the ground. One of our guys catches it on the bounce about 15 yards further downfield and gets a good 10 more yards before the refs blow the play dead. They spot the ball where he caught it and throw a flag. They give the other team possession, and then give us a 15 yard penalty for, and I quote, "interference with the opportunity to return the kick."

Play #2: We're already losing, so a punt from our own 30 yard line is to be expected. Ball goes up, opponent catches it, then trips and drops the ball. Another one of their players jumps on the ball and it shoots out towards the sideline. Finally, one of our guys dives and tucks it under, refs blow the play dead. Everyone stands up and our guys start to huddle so we can start our drive again. But the refs blow the whistle, AND throw a flag. They once again give possession to the other team, and call unsportsmanlike conduct on our team. Fifteen yards leads the opponents back to our 45 yard line, essentially negating the punt and leaving them with good field position.

I'll argue that both teams played hard. I won't argue that we should have won, but there was an easily observable bias against us. Even a few of their fans pointed it out. We left with a few minutes left int he 4th quarter. Down by 35, there was no chance we could win ... but the refs kept blowing the most obscure and, in many cases, impossible penalties against our team. It was demoralizing to watch, and I feel for every kid on that team.

I love football. I love it more when the outcome of the game is due to hard work by both sides, not random, inexplicable calls by the referees.

As my brother said after the game, the score should be:

Them - 28
Us - 14
Referees - 14