On the TunneySide of Sports
November 28, 2022
#928 Up next…
After further review… In a corporate speech I once gave, I was asked “Did you ever officiate an NFL game where there was a controversial call made?” My answer was, “Every Sunday afternoon (or Monday night!)” Then the follow-up question: “Were you the one who made it?”
I love the Q & A sessions in my presentations. Questions are forthright and genuine with the questioner curious about the job of an NFL game official. More often than not, the person asking has a specific incident that involves a team of which he/she is a fan. In any case, the answer—my answer—needs to be clear, concise, and honest.
With the 2022 NFL season now just past the midpoint, controversy is in full play. And that word – controversy—is mentioned regularly. Fans of one T*E*A*M or another will be either angry at 1) game officials, 2) Coaches, and/or 3) players. Fans want perfection from all of the above –no, let me correct that –fans want their T*E*A*M to win (perfection is not always required).
Controversy is in the eyes of the beholder. As an example, consider Washington D.C. and its direction, or the corporate world, Twitter among others, or in our local elections. But nothing stirs emotions like sports.
With 4th and 1 at the goal line, should a T*E*A*M go for the touchdown or a field goal? Should a coach replace his starting QB when he is struggling? Who takes the heat for a T*E*A*M with more losses than wins? Coach, assistants, players, or all of the above?
A former player wrote to me some time ago that I had cheated him out of a paycheck because of a call I made – that was 42 years ago! They don’t forget! Then there’s the call some years that denied a pitcher a no-hitter. That umpire who made that call wasn’t cheating. It was just his judgment.
Error in judgment happens every day – parents, teachers. executives and government officials. Were they cheating or just making a decision that was honest, but incorrect? When scandals occur, it causes the public to suspect that all officials, and corporate executives, are crooks. It has often been said: “You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.”
Will you use caution to weigh all factors before making your judgment?
—————
Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan
Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.
Shop here.
To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
