The Lighter Side of Officiating

[Bobref]

Most of the posts here are fairly serious. But believe it or not, lots of funny stuff happens in officiating. This topic is for folks to relate funny stories about officiating. If you’re an official, you can relate something that happened in game. Fans, coaches, players, media, etc., can chime in with something humorous they saw regarding the officials. Here’s the one place we can lighten up about official’s and officiating.

[JustRules]

This video went viral last weekend. The official is an Indianapolis official and only 5 years ago was still a high school referee. He was promoted to the MAC this year, and I believe this was his first game in a B1G stadium.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_UkTzHMsGx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Several years ago a DB was burned on a deep pass for a TD. When he came to the sideline, his coach asked him what happened. He told the coach "I came up because they were running the option." The coach replied in surprised anger, "the pass is one of his options!"

[Bobref]

Many years ago I was working a game at North Judson. As I gave the ready for play signal, a bat landed on the ground about 5 yds. in front of me. Sure enough, they snapped the ball and the QB rolled toward me … and the bat. I kept one eye on the QB and one eye on the bat as the play ran. Somehow, the bat escaped being trampled and flew away before the next play. At that time, the local public TV station, WYIN, broadcast a game each week on tape delay. I was able to get home in time to watch the replay, and the bat showed up great.

And no, I did not throw a flag for an “illegal bat.”

[rob]

18 hours ago, JustRules said:

This video went viral last weekend. The official is an Indianapolis official and only 5 years ago was still a high school referee. He was promoted to the MAC this year, and I believe this was his first game in a B1G stadium.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_UkTzHMsGx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Several years ago a DB was burned on a deep pass for a TD. When he came to the sideline, his coach asked him what happened. He told the coach "I came up because they were running the option." The coach replied in surprised anger, "the pass is one of his options!"

I've seen a HS basketball player hurdle over the announcer behind the table with the clock keeper etc.  There was a reason this player was a state qualified high jumper.

[Bobref]

I once fired a clock operator at halftime … of a playoff game … found out it was a nun.

[snrmike]

On 9/5/2024 at 12:06 PM, Bobref said:

I once fired a clock operator at halftime … of a playoff game … found out it was a nun.

You will pay for that eventually🤣