Posted by AO80 on 10/28/2009, 10:33 am
96.224.166.188
I'm going to try and write this as unbiased as possible, obviously though, as with anyone personal feelings will distort my view by some degree.
What happened.
Coming off the field at the half our team was quite frustrated over a series of events at the goal line. Our Qb ran the ball into the end zone, his flag was pulled basically as he crossed the goal line. I'm not going to get into whether or not I thought it was a TD, but Dennis the line judge called it a TD and the official in the back of the end zone (Richie's son) said it wasn't. Richie backed up his son, who did not have a clear sight line to the play as receivers were already in the endzone in his area and the play was coming towards him. The line judge, who's call it was was standing on the goal line with an unobstructed view, but somehow his call was reversed.
To be fair we blew the next two plays, however there was 18 seconds left after a sack. We rushed to retrieve an overthown ball, line up, and snap the ball. Two seconds after the snap, as we're in the middle of play, Richie blew the whistle saying we didn't get the snap off in time. Look, the rules are the rules and I get it, but in this type of situation where accuracy is questionable to begin with if the final play is that close to getting off in time, especially after a questionable call, and when the ball had to be retrieved from 10 yards beyond the end zone, shouldn't the outcome really be decided by the players instead of the official deciding a few seconds later that the snap was half a second late?
As we walked off the field one of our long-time teammates was irate and began yelling that the reffing is terrible and that the guy in the back of the end zone (Richie's son) only makes game changing calls. At this point Richie decides he's had enough and throws a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct, fair enough. Another AO player on our sideline then started yelling that that's a "chump call", he yelled it several times. Richie then threw another flag for another 15 yard penalty, all right partially deserved - maybe a little excessive at this point as the refs should just be walking away, when they did walk away no one chased them down. All AO Players at this point were on our side line and remained there for at least several minutes.
Our sideline calmed down as we knew we would start the second half with the ball and we felt we had the game in hand. The first half on two possessions Rush gained about 10 yards, with the exception of an interception we were moved the ball down the field very well and we had no reason to believe any of this would change. After the side line calmed down one of our most level headed players, AO2, who wrote the first post on all this, went to speak directly to Richie who handed him our ref fees back and told him that he was leaving as he "felt threatened."
I was standing between both players whose actions resulted in the penalty flags the entire time this all went down and at no time did any AO player physically or verbally threaten any official. Anyone who says a threat was made in any way to any official is 100% lying.
I'm amazed that the refs walked out on this game, it was completely unprofessional. During the prior game there was basically a bench clearing moment between the Legends and Old School with what seemed to me punches thrown, but this game was played to the end and nothing close to that happened during our game.
What should have happened.
Richie should have taken both captains to the middle of the field and given a warning. If need be he should have told Seth, the Captain of AO, that certain players would need to leave the field at that time in order for play to resume. However, no warning was issued and the refs just upped and left which is not acceptable.
What should happen now.
The second half should be played between AO and Rush, there is no reason not to play it, it should have been played in the first place, and not playing it affect too many teams. AO should be assessed the two unsportsmanlike penalties on the kickoff.
Look, I prefer not to take a loss in this fashion, but if that's the result so be it, it's not the end of the worl. But what needs to be addressed is how this was handled. Officials can't just walk out on games because guys are vocally questioning calls. If they want to throw flags in response to vocal out bursts fine, if they want to throw individuals out of the game fine. But walking out on close to 40 guys without discussing the issue first with the captains and the commissioner isn't ok. I'm with Karim on this, this is the first time in 9 years in this league that I don't really want to play anymore.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread