Expert: Thom Brooks - 9/8/2008

Question
Is Larry Farina kidding? Referees can't make judgment calls? As an amateur sports official I make judgment calls every time I step on the field. If it weren't for judgment calls football games would have penalties every single play. The Washington-BYU game call was pathetic and that referee should go back to Pop Warner football where he belongs instead of doing Division 1 NCAA football. I'm not even a Washington fan but as an official I'm completely embarrassed by the quality of the officiating in that game.

Answer
Bill, hello!

I do not know the context of Farina's comments, but Officials do make judgment calls.  The calls depend on a number of factors, to include proper training of the Official.  In a high caliber game, all plays could make a difference in a ballgame.  In the case of penalties that happen away from the play, throwing a flag would not be encouraged unless it would have an impact on the game.  Calling a Holding penalty when the ball is 30 yards away and not part of the outcome of the play would seem frivolous.  

I never saw the Washington game, only the Unsportsmanlike when the QB threw the ball into the air.  Officials should never determine the outcome of the game, but I saw it as a violation that both coaches have been consistently advised would not be allowed.  The NCAA has required strict enforcement.  I would not blame the Official, but rather ask the NCAA to review the purpose of the rule.  The QB did not appear to be trying to show up the other team, nor trying to delay the game.  It was a bunch of young men that were thrilled with the success of the moment.  I am strongly against showboating or showing up the opponent.  I coach an over age 25 men's baseball team and we have been very successful.  The team knows I do not tolerate embarrassing the other guys.  We want to beat them but we want to win with class and dignity. Our record shows that.  

However, that officiating crew may have called a bad game.  I just do not know what calls were missed.  I was an Umpire in a football game last week.  The past game I was a clock operator.  Seeing the game from the booth, up 300 feet, shows a different view than when my nose was stuck behind the linebacker.  You know about Preventive officiating and how we can make corrections without throwing flags, but that goes back to the Judgment calls.  

Had the officials not thrown a flag, the other team may have been equally provoked.  The mature QB would have run OFF the field and done all of their celebrating, on the sidelines, AFTER the PAT.  It was a rule that is hammered into those young men and they knew better.

I truly would want to let them play, but the NCAA would be the ones that have imposed the strict rule, not the coaches or officials. The NCAA Evaluator that reviews the film would have gigged the officials for not playing by the rule book.  

So, it will remain a controversial call!!

Take care,


Thom Brooks