On the TunneySide of Sports January 6, 2020 #777 Up next… Impartial Umpires
After further review… United States Supreme Justice John Roberts is now getting into my field of officiating, as he has been called into service to preside over the impeachment process of President Donald J. Trump. In this latest assignment, Roberts recalled when he was appointed to the Supreme Court some 14 years ago that “judges should be like baseball umpires impartially calling balls and strikes.” Roberts continued with the classic line: “Nobody ever went to a ball game to see the umpire.” Well, Justice Roberts, as the Zen Master said, “We’ll see!”
Roberts will enter this assignment with the same philosophy as does the umpire or referee. He continued, “What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equally right for those appearing before them.” Sunday after Sunday NFL game officials enter the field with the same philosophy.
Well, Justice Roberts, you won’t have the NFL replay system correcting your every decision! Or will he? As a matter of fact, his replay system will be every USA citizen as well as those from abroad who will either agree or disagree with every decision when it happens this January 2020 during the NFL playoffs. Ah yes, they’ll be watching as Justice Roberts runs, passes or fumbles.
Drawing a parallel to what Justice Roberts will be facing, let me call to your attention a decision that faced Tony Corrente’s NFL crew Sunday night, December 29, 2019. On the very last play of the San Francisco Forty-Niners vs Seattle Seahawks game at Century Link Stadium in Seattle with the Niners leading and the Hawks at 4th down goal to go and no timeouts left. Quarterback Russell Wilson fired a pass to TE Jacob Hollister who caught it and was stopped at the ½ yard line – or was he in the endzone for a touchdown? Both Down Judge Dana McKenzie (12th year) and Line Judge Tim Podraza (also 12th year) ran from their line position to get a closer look at Hollister’s position. Both determined the ball never broke the goal line plane. Game over!
Will you rule on judgments with the impartiality that is needed?
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