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Post by nyasablue on Dec 2, 2010 9:24:23 GMT -5
MLB has inducted umpires to its HOF. But then again MLB umpires sole profession is as a full time MLB umpire. You bring up an excellent point, one that I do not believe has been mentioned here before. What is the difference between a part-time and full-time official, especially when considering awarding a lifetime resume of work as HOF caliber work? Actually this is the one thing that has always worked against the NFL officials, as far HOF consideration, and quite frankly as far as respect in many other ways is concerned. The NFL is the only professional league that uses 'part time' officials. No matter how many how many hours of training, preparation and devotion to their craft NFL officials put into their work, it is still perceived both outside AND inside the league by many that this is an avocation as opposed to a profession for these guys. For all the other pro sports, especially Baseball, it is generally allowed that those officials are full time employees who have worked fairly long apprenticeships to reach the top level of their professions. The NFL official however, is still perceived as someone who, after working their game on Sunday (or Monday....or Thursday), goes home and is sitting at his desk the next day at his 'real' job. This is a very VERY hard perception for these very hard working guys to shake, and they probably never will shake it totally.
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Post by teo on Dec 2, 2010 12:28:36 GMT -5
I believe the problem is that the pro football official position doesn't rotate like in other sports. For example, I believe a every baseball umpire can aspire to be a home plate umpire, or a hockey linesman can aspire to be areferee, but in pro football not every official aspires to become a referee, so it would not be fair to induct only referees.
The other thing is that the PFHOF only elects between 4 and 7 new members each year and the contribuitors are scarce and have to compete against former players, who is more difficult for them to enter. The solution would bmake another door that directly induct officials and other contribuitors like the Sabols from NFL Films.
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Post by zcr57 on Dec 2, 2010 16:31:57 GMT -5
I believe the problem is that the pro football official position doesn't rotate like in other sports. For example, I believe a every baseball umpire can aspire to be a home plate umpire, or a hockey linesman can aspire to be a referee, but in pro football not every official aspires to become a referee, so it would not be fair to induct only referees. This is an excellent point. And there are MANY officials who work positions besides R who would make very good referees. They just don't have the chance to do it because of their age, because they came into the league at the wrong time, and/or because they don't have the time that it takes to be an NFL referee (see Phil Luckett).
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Post by impz45 on Dec 2, 2010 23:13:10 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I do not believe the league takes into consideration the overall contribution an official makes and it is apparent the league considers them part-time employees, hence no HOF Officials.
There are many that deserved to be in The HOF and it is about time the NFL recognizes these contributions......A nice start would be Tunney, Bell, Markbreit, Javie and Schacter....sorry for not mentioning any others who deservedly should be awarded with enshirement.
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Post by tuckerewell on Dec 3, 2010 1:44:52 GMT -5
I want to be clear on this...I think NFL officials are an important and valuable part of the game and they should be recognized. There are a number of great names from the past that are worthy. Having said that, the part time approach to this job just isn't enough. Not in terms of HOF and not in terms with the pace, speed and complexity of today's game. Make them full time and have them focus on NFL football. I've read posts saying "you can't expect officials who are successful off the field, officials like M Carey, W. Anderson & E. Hochuli (believe me there are other successful officials) to give up the other job just to become a full-time official". I disagree. I think that the NFL can and should expect their officials to be focused on one thing, the NFL. Having full-time officials would go a long way towards providing consistency in interpretation of rules, penalties, well controlled games and games that are more enjoyable for fans. Games would be less likely to drag on the way some do. I don't understand the backlash against having fulltimes officials. If a person's goal is to be an NFL official and he gets there, why then is his job at the university, the farm, the law firm or the mini mart so important?
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Post by becky10 on Dec 3, 2010 3:28:58 GMT -5
I want to be clear on this...I think NFL officials are an important and valuable part of the game and they should be recognized. There are a number of great names from the past that are worthy. Having said that, the part time approach to this job just isn't enough. Not in terms of HOF and not in terms with the pace, speed and complexity of today's game. Make them full time and have them focus on NFL football. I've read posts saying "you can't expect officials who are successful off the field, officials like M Carey, W. Anderson & E. Hochuli (believe me there are other successful officials) to give up the other job just to become a full-time official". No need to Bash R-85 Ed Hochuli. Enough said! ;D He is one of the BEST & also gives back to his Fans.... Becky
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Post by JAYJAYSTRIPES on Dec 3, 2010 6:56:01 GMT -5
I agree with Tuckerwell, well said, R85 isn't the only person on the face of the planet. He rates EVEN with the majority of guys out there and several of the new guys show as much potential, guys such as Parry, Blakeman, Steratore have as much skill and moxie on the field as some of the older guys. ALL the guys give much time and effort to their profession and community.....All the guys are good or they wouldn't be there.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2010 8:04:18 GMT -5
They are full time as they can be...these guys put in lots and lots of hours per week in preparation.
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Post by FredFan7 on Dec 3, 2010 13:16:54 GMT -5
They are full time as they can be...these guys put in lots and lots of hours per week in preparation. Yes, but unfortunately, their HR papers at the NFL office states they are "part time."
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