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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 18:06:49 GMT -5
Thank you for joining us here at BTFS! One of the hardest things for an official at any level is to look themselves in the mirror and determine that they must retire. The last game they work is very emotional. Sadly, some officials are approached by the league office and are strongly encouraged to retire with dignity. Did you think about writing about this aspect of the game to help readers know how emotional an official's last game/season is? Or was that part of the book that had to be cut? The question about the last game is a very good one. The only time I hit it directly in the book, really was the reference to Ben Dreith. He, of course, just did not want to quit. The only man with whom I spoke about it in depth was Bill Carollo. I'm sure he was wistful, but he also was well settled and comfortable with his decision. Dean Look and Al Jury had their careers cut short by health and injury. Your question causes me to wish I would have taken it up at greater depth with the others.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 18:21:23 GMT -5
What was the most surprising thing you learned about NFL officiating? I would say the level of difficulty that the speed in the NFL presents to a rookie official. Every official with whom I spoke unequivocally observed that the speed differential between the college and the pro games is what amazes them the most on arrival in the NFL. I certainly would not have considered that to have been the case without hearing it from them. I also remain fascinated by the neuro-optic ability they develop to "slow" the action as they watch it. And the rulebook is mesmerizing. It and the casebook describe situations I would never have dreamed--let alone have seen--could happen.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 18:28:05 GMT -5
Has this book inspired you to take up officiating?! I am seriously considering it. I keep a busy schedule, so I have to think about that. I am 59 years old, but in good physical condition. I have told a number of the men whom I interviewed that I am thinking about it. But I'll have to see how the time plays out. I have been approached about being a guest speaker at an upcoming clinic. My guess is that then experience of watching the instruction will just add further fuel to my consideration of the possibility I might undertake it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 18:43:11 GMT -5
Baseball umpires allowed "all access" to author Lee Gutkind in the mid-1970s to write a book about their season. "The Best Seat in the House" was a tell-all and the umpire crew felt burned by Gutkind. Were any of the NFL officials you initially approached to do the book suspicious of your intentions? Surprisingly not. In fact I remain astounded at how approachable these guys have been. I recall a funny remark at the end of a conference call during which Bill Carollo arranged for me to meet with him and Jerry Markbreit at Jerry's home to preliminarily talk about the book's possibilities. Jerry was gracious and most willing to have the meeting. At the call's conclusion, Bill made a remark to the effect: " You might want to be careful Jerry; this guy might be some disgruntled Ram fan who didn't like a call you made when they were in California?" Of course he was laughing as he said this. But as of that time, Bill only knew me by email and telephone. I am surprised, but also most grateful that they would talk to me. Now that I am thinking about it, I do recall Jeff Bergman giving me some minor 3rd degree questioning when I was first introduced to him. It didn't seem to take too long to develop credibility with him.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 18:50:11 GMT -5
Would it be fair to say that without Bill Carollo's interest, information, and ability to provide access to material you needed, there would be no book? It certainly seems that way. His support and interest in the project opened doors that would have been much harder to enter, if not impossible. There might have been a book, but I'm not sure of it. And if there would have been one without his interest and guidance, it would not nearly have been what "The Third Team" turned out to be.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2011 19:07:14 GMT -5
Did any of the officials say that they made it to the NFL because of " who they knew" and not " what they knew?" Not one. The competition is too fierce for anyone to get to that level by other than pure merit. The question does bring to mind the reference by Mike Pereira to children of officials. But his point was that sons of football officials were not hired by the league based on bloodlines. Rather, his perspective is that someone whose father was an official has a great foundation and has an understanding of the game from an officiating perspective. The familial relationship in those instances strengthened the applicant's fundamental abilities.
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Post by FredFan7 on Feb 12, 2011 23:51:43 GMT -5
Do you have an anecdote that didn't make the book that you'd like to share?
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Post by becky10 on Feb 13, 2011 0:08:27 GMT -5
Did any of the officials say that they made it to the NFL because of " who they knew" and not " what they knew?" Not one. The competition is too fierce for anyone to get to that level by other than pure merit. The question does bring to mind the reference by Mike Pereira to children of officials. But his point was that sons of football officials were not hired by the league based on bloodlines. Rather, his perspective is that someone whose father was an official has a great foundation and has an understanding of the game from an officiating perspective. The familial relationship in those instances strengthened the applicant's fundamental abilities. Hi Richard, Thank you for answering many of the questions on Behind The Football Stripes. As for knowing who you know.... etc..... I remember NFL Referee R-85 Ed Hochuli telling me that his Son Shawn Hochuli(College Back Judge & Arena White Hat) ----> Shawn has his own personal trainer(Meaning Ed Hochuli)! Becky
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Post by FredFan7 on Feb 13, 2011 16:22:10 GMT -5
Off the top of my head, I don't recall any quotes from Jerry Seeman in your book. Were you able to talk to Mr. Seeman?
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Post by FredFan7 on Feb 13, 2011 22:56:21 GMT -5
Is Tom Kelleher still with us? Did you try to contact him? He was the guy Hank Stram was addressing, "Hey Mr. Official" when he was wired for sound in Super Bowl IV. He would have been able to supply some good stories.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2011 11:59:32 GMT -5
Do you have an anecdote that didn't make the book that you'd like to share? I can't readily call to mind any officiating anecdotes that were not put into print. There were some that were shared off the record. As for non-officiating anecdotes, there was a good story about one of the senior Jerry Bergman's Super Bowls. Somehow at the game's start, they lacked a ball boy. Jerry asked Jeff--who at that time was probably a young teenager--if he wanted the job. Before his father could complete the question, Jeff was hopping over the fence. He ended up appearing in the background in the cover photo for Sports Illustrated. I also recall being told how proud Mr. Bergman was when Jeff worked in his Super Bowl. Jerry rented a large RV to take family and friends to watch the game. They made quite a celebration of it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2011 12:04:00 GMT -5
Off the top of my head, I don't recall any quotes from Jerry Seeman in your book. Were you able to talk to Mr. Seeman? I did talk to Jerry Seeman. He had some things to say in Chapter three about how the game has become even more difficult to officiate since his days on the field. He also talked about replay and his insistence that the review decisions be made on the field by the referee and be subject to time limitations.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2011 12:07:43 GMT -5
Is Tom Kelleher still with us? Did you try to contact him? He was the guy Hank Stram was addressing, "Hey Mr. Official" when he was wired for sound in Super Bowl IV. He would have been able to supply some good stories. He is living in retirement in Florida. I did not contact him, though you are right--he would have great stories. Jerry Markbreit called him the best sideline man ever. As a rookie, he was in awe of Kelleher.
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Post by FredFan7 on Feb 14, 2011 14:30:43 GMT -5
I'll leave this thread open for the rest of the week. After Friday, I'll close it so Mr. Lister doesn't have to check every day to see if someone has asked a question.
Get your questions in!
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Post by FredFan7 on Feb 15, 2011 11:54:57 GMT -5
Do you plan on a sequal book, or do you have any plans to collaborate with another official on an autobiography?
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