This is NOT going to be a blog about one play. Yes, the Packers took it in the shorts last night - and yes, that SHOULD be the straw that breaks the llama's back (the camel is on a work stoppage.) But the truth is that bad calls happen even when there are good referees on the field. This was not the first game ever to be decided by a ridiculous human error nor will it be the last. In fact, the chances are that a month from now we'll barely be hearing anything about Monday night's game. Unless, of course, the Seahawks and Packers both end up 9-7 and tied for the final playoff spot. When Seattle goes to the postseason based on a head-to-head win we'll be seeing that play more than the Zapruder film.
This blog, however, will be cruising at an altitude of 35,000 feet - looking at the bigger picture... and let me tell you, this ain't the Mona Lisa. The first few weeks of the season the players have put up with the replacement referees. Some have even enjoyed the new freedom they've felt knowing that they can launch themselves at opposing players with very little chance of drawing a flag. Talk about a Patriot missile. However, with as much as the NFL blows hot air about their newfound dedication to player safety, it's not hard to imagine a time when the player's association just won't put up with it anymore.
You see, the typical NFL player knows the risks. He knows that injury may be right around the corner, but he got where he is by putting it all on the line for that one elusive thing that can't be taken away from him: wins. He's willing to take a chance with his body to secure the W. But if even THAT can be taken away... well, Houston Texans, we have a problem.
So far the players union has played this pretty close to its vest. But you just KNOW that at the next collective bargaining session the NFL is going to hear about this. "Oh, you're working hard for player safety are you? What about in 2012 when you pulled a bunch of guys out of the Lingerie Bowl to referee the best athletes in the world?" And that's not even the worst-case scenario. One real injury and out comes the lawsuit for negligence. It may not be possible to kill the mighty NFL, but you sure could wound it a bit.
Roger Goodell is taking the sports world's highest-equity product and putting it at risk. I know he's trying to take a hard line and show that he's in charge, but he's betting the credibility of the sport on the idea that nobody will really care about the officials. When Drew Brees (the nicest guy on the planet) starts to issue pissy tweets, you are losing that wager.
Honestly, I'm surprised. I didn't think it would be this obvious. I thought this would be like asking high school teachers to lecture at a university. Sure, they may not be fully qualified, but they'll study up and it won't be that bad. Apparently this was more like asking my dentist to perform a heart transplant.
Goodell needs to bring the true healers back in before he finds himself facing a malpractice suit.
It may cost him some of that higher ground he thinks he's claiming, but a real leader is one who knows when it's time to compromise.
It's time.
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