Don't Blame the Replacement Refs

The NFL has become a laughing stock in the sports industry thanks in large part to a labor dispute between the NFL and their game officials.  Because of this labor dispute the league has decided to use replacement officials for their games thus far this season.  And the job done by these replacement referees has not been good.  That is not their fault entirely.  Most of these men had been reffing division II or III football on Saturdays and high school on Fridays before this opportunity came about for them.  It is not their fault, they were just simply not prepared for this and the NFL has nobody to blame for this but themselves!

The NFL could end their labor dispute today if they wanted to, but they refuse to give in.  They refuse to let someone else win.  They refuse to take even one cent out of their profits for the betterment of their own game.

Roger Goodell took over as the commissioner of the NFL just over 6 years ago.  Since then, he has built his name on two things, the safety of the game and the integrity of the NFL.  Both are now in question.

Not only was a game decided last night by the inabilities of the replacement officials that Goodell and the NFL has been using this season, but injuries have been piling up as well.  Darrelle Revis is out for the season after getting hit below the knee in the Jets loss in Miami on Sunday, Steelers lineman Ziggy Hood was forced to leave the game on Sunday in Oakland after injuring his leg due to an illegal chop block that was not called.  Those are just 2 that standout from this week.  There are others as well.

How does this stop?  Hit the NFL and their owners in the only place that matters to them, their wallets. 

Stop watching games.

Stop going to games.

Stop buying the merchandise that they make so much money on.

As for the players, they can do something as well.  I see players using social media to vent about their unhappiness with these referees.  Twitter and Facebook were both blowing up after the questionable call giving Seattle a win on Monday Night Football.  Rather than complain and fuel the fire for the fan base, or as Clay Matthews did, put the commissioners phone number up on his Facebook page, do something that will make an impact.  STOP PLAYING!

The players hold as much power as anyone in this case.  Yes, we know that you have gone to the NFL in support of the referees, but that obviously has had no effect.  But what will have an effect is if next Sunday on CBS and FOX the NFL is not being aired.  Yes, the players will all have to forfeit a games pay, but how much is your safety worth to you?  As long as the players aren't playing the owners aren't making money.  And if the owners aren't making money they will be forced to resolve the issues at hand to prevent any further embarrassment to their game.

So if you want your NFL back, do your part.  Get your football fix this Friday or Saturday, there are dozens of great college games on television and I'm sure you could find a good local high school game as well.  As for Sunday, watch the Ryder Cup, it is more entertaining anyway and with a high viewership rating, it will show the owners that you can live without the NFL.