NFL Refs

Despite the text on our contact page saying otherwise, people chew me out a lot for “my” mistakes in football games.  To be clear, I’m a 37-year-old web developer that lives in Atlanta, married, with two kids.  I have no direct affiliation with anyone in any leagues.  This site is for fun and sharing information and most of you are great with sharing what you know.

That said, it’s amazing how many people think I’m responsible, either directly on the field (complaining about a bad call *I* made) or in a position of authority (complaining about *my* refs).  I typically just reply in humor, often blaming them for something they had nothing to do with either (like the weather or the government shutdown).

I find that those that get the most upset tend to:

1. Have a very low education level, based on their excessive profanity and lack of decent grammar and spelling.
2. Provide fake email addresses, which takes the fun out of it for me.

Here are a few I’ve received in the past few weeks. No text has been changed in the messages, other than filtering out some profanity.  Enjoy!

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From Chris (or Mitch; he changed his name after a few messages):

You stole a game from us (arkansas) in 2009 now OCT 5 against Florida u made an absolute wrong call should have been fumble and arkansas ball but u cheated arkansas again u piece of s##t mother f##kers you need to be fired. I Hate You!!!!!!!!!!

:: We emailed back and forth a bit, but he’s still very confused and angry.  I kinda feel bad for him.

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From Pat (or Trish?):

I would love to Vent but since you would like a topic –

“Unfair and Blatant BAD CALLs for the Raiders” This team has had more than it’s fair share of bad calls to give the other teams an unfair advantage year after year.

:: So they want to vent, realize it’s pointless, then vent anyhow.  Awesome.

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From Vic:

your refs suck

:: I have my own refs now! Anybody need one?

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From Daniel:

Why do the refs hate the bucs and penalize us on a foul that nevered happened and why is ot a no fun league and pu##y league

:: I had a witty reply for Daniel that tied into the refs being scared of the cannons going off if the Bucs score, but it went over his head.  Too bad.

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From Paul:

How hard can it be to make the right call. Every game every week so many bad calls. You should review every call than you could see just how many bad ones you make. You really take the fun out of football when you refs decide the outcome.
Just get it right.

:: I probably do make a lot of bad calls every week, but they’re typically related to work or my family. It’d be cool if I could review them all and make corrections.  Anyone want to follow me around with a video camera?

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From Michael:

Venting to me IS the point!
The NFL league and Refs need to understand they have created a Wussy man form of football that is destroying football as Americans know it. Refs need to keep that d##n yellow flag in their pocket except for flagrant fowls. But no! every time time a player sneezes on an opposing player they think they have to throw the flag! It has become disgusting, insulting and game destroying for fans. I am close to quit watching NFL games. Too bad none of you have a clue.

:: I often hear that I don’t have a clue, yet their email shows that they’re actually the ones without a clue.  Irony?

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From Tom:

how is that not a fumble in the Jets game wow still looks like your cheating for a team that has killers and criminals on it

:: Excellent punctuation and spelling.  Also, I wasn’t on the field for that game.

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From Richard:

Just as bad as baseball. You clowns are pathetic bastards. You are destroying sports because you blow calls nonstop. They need to just use instant replay and get rid of a bunch of useless bastards.

:: Interesting idea; no refs and 100% instant replay.  That would be some crazy long games.  Good for ad revenue, I suppose.  Also, apparently I’m a bastard.

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From Thomas:

You fools cost Green Bay the ball game today! We will be filing a lawsuit against you and anyone affiliated with the NFL refs and will ensure the lead ref will not work again! We will publish his name all over online and embarrass the hell out of him. You can take this to the bank!

:: Thomas is going to sue me.  Unrelated, he sent this well-founded threat from a bogus email account.

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From Brandon:

I am watching the fourth preseason 2013 of the rams. I beleive the head referee is the worst ref in history. He has called some bullshit plays and should not be a ref in the nfl. He has called every penalty against the rams and only one against ravens. He should call a fair game or go home. You suck and should retire. I would rather ref than have you in exsistence in the nfl.

:: I would LOVE to retire.  That would be so cool.  Anyone want to buy GreenMellen Media for like $10 million?

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From Steve:

Your NFL refs suck so bad, even preseason. GO##MN AWFUL. Take a good long look at your PIT/ KC game Aug 24. GO##MN HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:: Complaining about the outcome of a preseason game is a major red flag of caring too much.  Also, see the 2008 Detroit Lions and their 4-0 preseason.  Those games really don’t mean much.

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The season is young — I’ll share more as they continue to come in throughout the year. 🙂