Referee And Their Teams

[ivanbalt]

Yes, and no. The real question is whether or not there's any behind the scenes efforts to promote some teams in some years in the NFL. At times, it's hard NOT to feel that the NFL has become a glorified WWE. Even the year the Steelers beat the Colts in the playoffs, announcers were saying that the Steelers had to beat not only the team on the field, but the refs as well. (THAT year, it seemed as if the Colts were the "chosen ones".) And can you really say that you didn't think the games were slanted towards the Saints the year they won it all? Many of those "non calls" were SO obviously biased, it's just hard to imagine that there isn't SOMETHING nefarious going on behind the scenes, especially when you factor in all of the gambling money involved week in and week out. Does the modern day NFL really strike you as an entity that is based primarily on integrity? It does not strike me that way at all. So that opens up the door to a lot of doubts and questions. Now, that's not to say that the OP is on track with his take, but only that something less than pure is going on.

Perhaps. The only year in, year out bias I see is the roughing the passer calls on Brady. After almost every legal hit, he gets up, looks at the ref and makes the flag motion. And of course the flag gets thrown.

[NCBirdfan]

Now, back to the topic at hand. I think it is ridiculous to think that any referee would show favoritism to any team based on where he is from. These refs are graded on every single game they participate in. They make damn good money for what is essentially a part time job. Nobody would risk losing that payday just to insure that a team from his area gets favorable treatment. It wouldn't just be in games that "his team" is involved in, but games that could determine possible playoff fates as well. Any favoritism would be quickly picked up by league officials and that referee would lose a very good income. I can't see that any of these people would risk that. If so, they probably shouldn't be referees but instead should be put in mental institutions to determine what is wrong upstairs.

And there was a ref in the NBA that didn't mind risking his payday; and he did it for years before being caught; so it's not out of the question.

With that being said, there is still a conflict of interest if a ref owns a business that could benefit from calls being made when he is assigned games that include/affect local teams. It doesn't necessary mean he makes intentional calls; but, if the NFL were wise or even cared it would't put such refs in that position in the first place.

[HOF58]

And there was a ref in the NBA that didn't mind risking his payday; and he did it for years before being caught; so it's not out of the question.

With that being said, there is still a conflict of interest if a ref owns a business that could benefit from calls being made when he is assigned games that include/affect local teams. It doesn't necessary mean he makes intentional calls; but, if the NFL were wise or even cared it would't put such refs in that position in the first place.

You're assuming that there are dingbats out there who would patronize or not patronize a business because of calls made in a football game.

I'm sure every fan base might have some idiots like that but I doubt if it is many.

[afan]

You're assuming that there are dingbats out there who would patronize or not patronize a business because of calls made in a football game.

I'm sure every fan base might have some idiots like that but I doubt if it is many.

Do you honestly believe there are not "dingbats" out there that would not boycott a place of business? Seriously you do live in another world. I have seen people boycott for a sponsor endorsement from Tiger woods ,so yes I know people would do the same if a ref screws up a game. Join the real world but I bet if your team got screwed by a call and his pob was near u .You would look for what u need at another place.

[HOF58]

Do you honestly believe there are not "dingbats" out there that would not boycott a place of business? Seriously you do live in another world. I have seen people boycott for a sponsor endorsement from Tiger woods ,so yes I know people would do the same if a ref screws up a game. Join the real world but I bet if your team got screwed by a call and his pob was near u .You would look for what u need at another place.

Sorry I watch football for entertainment, not for life guidance.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Sorry I watch football for entertainment, not for life guidance.

That's fine. But there are clearly fans who DO take it a lot more seriously. Just look at soccer fans, for example, who KILL over wins/losses. Literally. And US Football fans aren't that far behind the curve.

[ivanbalt]

You're assuming that there are dingbats out there who would patronize or not patronize a business because of calls made in a football game.

I'm sure every fan base might have some idiots like that but I doubt if it is many.

NFL Football is a drug. The period with replacement refs was like bad coke. But it was still a fix.

[RAVEN FAN]

some referees seen to give some teams a break on calls. the steelers, the pats, giants,denver and green bay

[HOF58]

some referees seen to give some teams a break on calls. the steelers, the pats, giants,denver and green bay

I'm sure your research has been peer reviewed and found to be statistically sound.

[HOF58]

That's fine. But there are clearly fans who DO take it a lot more seriously. Just look at soccer fans, for example, who KILL over wins/losses. Literally. And US Football fans aren't that far behind the curve.

Speak for yourself. There are dysfunctional idiots who parade around stadiums in jerseys they didn't earn looking for conflict and violence but they are in the minority.

I'm sure eventually somone will be killed for wearing the wrong colors but maybe sanity will prevail.

[cprenegade]

And there was a ref in the NBA that didn't mind risking his payday; and he did it for years before being caught; so it's not out of the question.

With that being said, there is still a conflict of interest if a ref owns a business that could benefit from calls being made when he is assigned games that include/affect local teams. It doesn't necessary mean he makes intentional calls; but, if the NFL were wise or even cared it would't put such refs in that position in the first place.

So then what do you do? Refs are graded on every game. Based on those grades, the best get the playoff games, championship games and eventually the best get the superbowl. All of those games mean more money in their pocket. How do you justify not giving a ref who has earned the reward of a superbowl that game just because he lives in the same area as one of the teams? You simply have to grade them and make judgements. If he is favoring the team from his area, it is going to show up. The guy from the NBA wasn't favoring any specific team, he was doing it to win large bets. It was point shaving and it involved a lot of different teams. A lot harder to spot then a ref from a certain football area who is giving favorable calls to the team from that area.

[cprenegade]

Besides, this is a ridiculous argument. There are plenty of people who live in areas and root for other teams. There are Steeler fans, Cowboy fans, Giant fans, and Packer fans all over the country. Your officials are hired and graded on their body of work and that's it. If there is reason to believe favoritism, the NFL is not going to just move them to another game, they would fire them. With the NFL's complex tiebreaker rules, there are few games that actually have absolutely no effect on any team. The Philadelphia/Carolina game had no bearing on the Steelers, but in a tiebreak situation it could. If it ever got down to strength of victories, the better Philadelphia's record ends up, the better Pittsburgh's tiebreaker would be. Under this thread's premise the NFL should be hiring only foreigners who have no ties to any area close to a football team!

[HOF58]

I saw several comments saying that Steratore should not have Been working a Raven's game because he lives near Pittsburgh.

Too stupid to consider.

[NCBirdfan]

So then what do you do? Refs are graded on every game. Based on those grades, the best get the playoff games, championship games and eventually the best get the superbowl. All of those games mean more money in their pocket. How do you justify not giving a ref who has earned the reward of a superbowl that game just because he lives in the same area as one of the teams? You simply have to grade them and make judgements. If he is favoring the team from his area, it is going to show up. The guy from the NBA wasn't favoring any specific team, he was doing it to win large bets. It was point shaving and it involved a lot of different teams. A lot harder to spot then a ref from a certain football area who is giving favorable calls to the team from that area.

I am not accusing anyone of doing anything. I was just pointing out that there is conflict of interest and the NFL should do anything it can to avoid it. Of course it is impossible to do it every time, especially the postseason. But the schedules are made in plenty of time to position officiating crews away from those conflicts. This discussion would never even take place if such calls never happened.

As far as refs being recognized for favoring a certain team being recognized: There was a scandal in the amateur ranks that I covered years ago where that occurred with one group of officials (I think two or three were charged at the time) and nobody ever discovered it until one of them got in trouble with gamblers. I covered many games they officiated, and I, nor most people, never suspected a thing. They just made subtle calls at appropriate times to benefit one team (a team that had a pretty good five-year run).

Now, I know the amateur ranks don't get the scrutiny of the NFL, but they also don't have the NFL shield to protect them. Humans officiate games and until that ends (and I am not advocating that it should), there will always be a chance for cheating or underhanded deals on the side by a select few. It is up to us to do anything and everything possible to avoid that from happening.

[NCBirdfan]

I saw several comments saying that Steratore should not have Been working a Raven's game because he lives near Pittsburgh.

Too stupid to consider.

I am glad you are finally able to self-reflect. WTG HOF58!

[Peej7245]

Do you honestly believe there are not "dingbats" out there that would not boycott a place of business? Seriously you do live in another world. I have seen people boycott for a sponsor endorsement from Tiger woods ,so yes I know people would do the same if a ref screws up a game. Join the real world but I bet if your team got screwed by a call and his pob was near u .You would look for what u need at another place.

How about professional "wrasslin"?

[HOF58]

I am glad you are finally able to self-reflect. WTG HOF58!

Taking shots from far out on the looney limb will not rescue a ludicrous point of view.

Baltimore fans see conspiracy everywhere and there are hundreds and hundreds of threads to prove.

The officials, the League, and most especially ESPN. Comical.

[HOF58]

It never stops. This from 2007 plus the usual SBlll lunacy.
=================

mehatestagliapoo-poo
Member Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Started in Westport ended in Pasadena
Posts: 7,574

Lost all respect for NFL!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The new NFL slogan should be "Cry Me a River"

They should make it a Little more obvious.


1969 and now.

Funny how it all comes back. Colts, Miami fixed games!

Again I don't dislike any of the players, It is just the pricaipal of the whole thing.

Manning was cring for a flag when HIS player tripped himself.

[NCBirdfan]

Taking shots from far out on the looney limb willnot rescue a ludicrous point of view.

Baltimore fans see conspiracy everywhere and there are hundreds and hundreds of threads to prove.

The officials, the League, and most especially ESPN. Comical.

It's a good thing we have you Steeler people coming in here and keeping us poor ol' misguided Baltimore fans straight. I am glad you never complain about anything and accept everything the NFL shoots down your throats.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Taking shots from far out on the looney limb willnot rescue a ludicrous point of view.

Baltimore fans see conspiracy everywhere and there are hundreds and hundreds of threads to prove.

The officials, the League, and most especially ESPN. Comical.

Actually...you know what I find really comical?

2012 Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-5.

OMG...I'm going to split my sides!!!



(Thanks for helping to put everything into perspective for me. Seriously. Thanks. A lot.)