re: Referee Harassment Bill

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As a referee who has been harassed in the line of duty I support this bill 100%

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I'm also an official, and I've personally been threatened. The assault laws would cover this, yes, but this is a much bigger problem than most realize and they are trying to get the issue under control. Maybe they are over-reaching, but probably not. Most states already have this law.

Here's the biggest problem here. Does everyone want sports to exist in 20 years? Unfortunately, they may not, at least in the way we know them today. We are facing a historic shortage of officials in youth and high school sports. Within 5-10 years, games will have to be cancelled or rescheduled for other nights to simply have officials to cover them (actually, it's already happening now). Is everyone in favor of having high school football games 7 nights a week to spread them out in order to have officials to work the games?

You might think I'm exaggerating or speaking in hyperbole, but these are hypothetical situations that could happen. Older officials are retiring and the younger generation doesn't want to do it. Why? Low pay and a lot of hostility.

Honestly, if you want sports to continue the way they are today, be kind and respectful to all officials and encourage young people to officiate.

Everyone is going to downvote me and say I'm crazy, and that's fine. Don't complain when you don't have anyone willing to officiate your kids' sporting events.