A Positive Note to End the Week On

Yesterday I harped about the ill-informed soccer-playing soccer mom who harped at me the night before. Today I do a 180 and toot my own horn by way of a comment from a U17 team’s star striker.

It was halftime yesterday evening when I dashed off to make a pit stop before the start of the second half. On my way back to the pitch, one of the guys in the upcoming match asked if I would be refereeing his team’s game, to which I acknowledged that I would be, then joked, “I hope that’s ok.”

“Yeah”, he said. “I’m glad it’s not that guy with dark hair.” When I inquired why, not knowing much about that particular ref, he told me that “He makes a lot of stupid calls.”

“Not me. I only blow my whistle when I have to. I’m here to let you guys play.”

Now, keep in mind that the previous week I issued this player a caution (which comes with a mandatory two-minute penalty at this indoor facility) near the end of the match when he deliberately encroached and blocked an opponent’s free-kick in the game’s dying moments and his team leading by a goal. And it should be noted that he took his punishment without complaint and shook my hand after the match.

These are the players a referee remembers and appreciates for showing strong character even after ending up on the losing side of a correct decision.

And I’m glad to know that this player, the best on his team, is happy to see me in the middle of his matches. Because of him and players like him it’s much easier to deal with the many unsavory characters and comments that a referee must endure on a regular basis.

Cheers to you my friend.

Until next time…

peace,
ac