C'mon, Ref!

One of the most common phrases that we have been hearing in sports for ages - "C'mon, Ref!". It's an age-old phrase but never seems to disappear. In fact, this phrase is still quite prominent. Something doesn't go right? - Ref's fault. Didn't win a call? - Ref's fault. Lost the game? - Ref's fault. It's kind of humorous, really. Referees, being ambassadors of the game, are often ridiculed and criticized. Is it fair? - Well, nothing is really fair, is it? But, that's not the point I'm trying to get across. The main point that I am trying to hone in on is that referees are capable of human error. We often forget to realize this. There is no such thing as a perfect game and there is no such thing as a perfect referee. We need to keep this in mind as coaches, players, and fans.

Missed calls, controversial decisions, and even outright blatant miscues can cause the old, "C'mon, Ref" phrase to come out. It's an easy phrase to jump to and use. I mean, heck, the referee is an easy target. There are fewer of them then there are players, fans, and coaches - It's a numbers thing, I think - In essence, It's much easier to gang up on the decision makers when you have more people to back you up.

What is interesting is that referees hold all the power, essentially. Though I am a strong believer, as someone who has been officiating for 12 years, that referees should never dictate the game, this does often happen, sadly. Players should be dictating the game, in my opinion, and the referees should consequence and control the game as needed. Often times; however, we see it the other way around. This is why so many players, coaches, and fans get so upset and heated when it comes to referees.

The fact of the matter is that referees, in most cases, (I say most because there have been some isolated incidents in our sports history), are meant to call a fair, just, and down-the-middle game. They aren't intentionally calling a poor game or making bad calls, but this does happen - Hence, the nature of sports. I don't see anything bad with the age-old, "C'mon, Ref" phrase, though. It's embedded in sports culture and doesn't really impose a negative meaning, intention or notion. Though it may be interpreted that way, this phrase is simply two or more people having a difference of opinion, and, really, is there anything wrong with that?

Where I think the real problem lies is when players, coaches, and fans turn towards violent behaviors and start attacking the referee verbally and in some cases, physically. That, by no means, is in the spirit of any sport. Yes, the referees don't always do a good job, but we must ensure that we respect the sanctity of the game and those who officiate it.

All in all, the phrase "C'mon, Ref" isn't all that bad. It's actually quite amusing. We have all used it and this phrase will be around forever, I'm sure. The main thing that we need to bear in mind is that referees, just like all of us, are human. Mistakes will be made and frustrations will boil. Nothing in sports or life are perfect, so let's keep that in the back of our mind when we attend our next sporting event. And, when all else fails and you don't know what to say, "C'mon, Ref" is always a great fall back plan!