I was watching the NFL the other day and something really struck me as odd. Why are there so many lawyers involved in refereeing games? I mean, it’s not like they’re playing football. That got me to thinking, ‘how many NFL referees are lawyers?’.
Well, as it turns out, it’s mega-impressive! According to the last count there are a whopping 23 active referees who are either licensed attorneys or have a Masters or Doctorate degree in law. That’s almost one per game! What’s more, the process for becoming a referee is actually quite stringent too. You have to complete a 6 month referee training program and pass a plethora of tests before being admitted to candidacy.
On top of that, the NFL only employs the most qualified, experienced and professional referees. That means that beyond academic qualifications, you’ve got to be well-versed in all the laws and rules of the game. It’s a pretty tough gig since you’ve got to be defensively focused in order to safeguard the integrity of the sport.
What this all boils down to is that NFL referees are seriously serious about their responsibilities. It takes a unique kind of person to be a referee, and having an in-depth knowledge of the law doesn’t hurt either. That’s why the majority of referees are lawyers and it’s why the NFL puts so much trust and faith into them.
What I love about this whole thing is that the folks in charge take their job so seriously. Not only do they need to be highly competent, but they also need to have a level of respect for the game that surpasses even the most veteran players. That, in and of itself, is incredibly impressive.
As for the game itself, the referee’s job is really hard to put into words. I mean, these guys and gals are running around in the middle of the chaos that is a football game and still managing to make all the right calls. Not to mention the quick thinking that goes into making the right calls in the heat of the moment. Not to mention the political finesse that is required to manage player relationships and interactions. Truly mind-boggling stuff.
Now lets talk about the ref’s control of the game. It’s crucial! Like a master conductor leading an orchestra, the referees must be able to ensure that all the players are following the rules and regulations. Yes, in a sense they must enforces the laws, but they must also be able to manage the flow of the game so that everyone is playing by the same rules. It’s not easy.
And lets not forget about the importance of impartiality. It goes without saying that referees must be impartial in the decisions that they make. This means that they must be able to apply the rule of law equally to all participants of the game. This can be a tough job, especially when you’re dealing with some of the most competitive, passionate players in the world.
Finally, the last few things to note about NFL referees is that they operate in a highly unpredictable and ever-changing environment. This means that the referees must be able to adapt on the fly, and make split second decisions. There’s a lot of physical as well as mental preparation that must go into this job.
All-in-all, being an NFL referee is a tough job. And having a legal background certainly helps to give referees the edge they need to succeed. I, for one, am thankful for the 23 lawyers out there donning the black and white stripes and making a difference in the game.