Steve Young on refs: Fans still watch, so NFL doesn't care

[Omaha Steve]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/09/18/steve-young-rips-nfl-replacement-referees/70000551/1#.UGExXK6z70p

All of America saw it. There's no denying it.

The replacement referees officiating Monday night's game between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons officially embarrassed the NFL.

It was that brutal.

We had a six-minute delay in the first quarter while the replacements tried to figure out what happened when Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno fumbled, causing players to push and shove. They went at each other in a scrum, then went at the replacements, with some players getting in their faces and even laying their hands on them.

It was complete anarchy, really, which only served as the tip of the iceberg on a night that was a travesty for the officials.

FULL story at link.


Kirby Lee, US Presswire

[Honeycombe8]

1. Sports are not supposed to be posted in this forum. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. About this forum:

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. No posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports unless there is really big news.

This meets BOTH the current events requirement, as well as the really big news requirement.

ETA I should mention that there was an incident in tonight's football game that I believe inspired this post.

[Omaha Steve]

3. R U picking a fight?

This is general. I don't see a limit on general discussion. Mods go with the ebb and flow.

OS

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. I think this is more about a labor dispute that could happen in any industry

I don't think the posts are discussing game highlights relating to athletic accomplishment but to the destruction of the industry because of owners' greed.

[Honeycombe8]

5. There is no labor dispute discussion in the OP. It's a basic sports post. nt

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

6. You have to read the link in the OP

Example:

"There's a lot of people in the league that would rather break the (referees) union. ... They feel like (officiating) is a commodity," Young said. "But more importantly, everything about the NFL now is inelastic for demand. There's nothing (the league) can do to hurt the demand for the game. So, the bottom line is they don't care.

"Player safety? Doesn't matter in this case. Bringing in Division III officials? Doesn't matter. Because in the end, you're still going to watch the game."

[rufus dog]

7. Good clarification

As a life long 49er fan it is great to see Young laying out reality.

[davidpdx]

9. I am a Niner fan as well

Didn't get to see the game, but heard we lost. Bummer.

I've been torrenting the games about a day and a half after they happen since I live overseas.

[davidpdx]

8. Young makes a good poin

If no pressure is put on the NFL we'll have replacement refs for the entire season. It also calls into question the legitimacy the outcome of some of the games, which end up affecting who goes to the playoffs.

How many more weeks is this season going to be ruined by the NFL's negligence?

[TexasProgresive]

10. A few questions for you, Steve.

In a lock out can the union refs put up picket lines?
If pickets are up would union members, players, media and spectators honor the picket?
And why are union members watching scab play on TV?

Lastly, why isn't there a labor forum?

[RB TexLa]

11. Why would the players respect a picket line by the refs? They crossed the players

Picket line in 1987.

[trumad]

13. It's in their contract.

They are not allowed to sympathy strike.

[TexasProgresive]

17. Honoring a picket line is not striking.

And even so they players, media and union spectators could put up informational pickets showing solidarity with their union brothers (are there sister refs?).

This is one of the reasons labor is weak in this country- we stand for ourselves and not in solidarity with all our labor brothers and sisters. The corps know and use this against us.

Just walk away from the TV. Write the owners, the NFL- support the refs or admit that you don't support workers.

[TexasProgresive]

15. Doesn't change my point.

The replacement refs aren't the only scabs- it's the media union members, the players and and spectators that are union members. What happened in 87 doesn't change anything. The refs were scabs then and the rest are scabs now.

Put up pickets and honor them.

Edited to add: The replacement refs are technically not scabs if they are not union.

[eqfan592]

12. I'm done watching the NFL after last nights travesty.

Goodell needs to make things right with the real officials now. This has gone on to damn long, for several reasons.

[RB TexLa]

14. You're in the minority. The contronversy they create is increasing

viewers. It's not hurting the owners or league at all.

[ananda]

16. I haven't watched football in years!

And it hasn't hurt a bit. Lol