I Am Going to Miss the NFL Replacement Refs

The NFL and its "regular" referees  have agreed to the terms of a new contract, and the regular refs will begin calling games immediately (ie. tonight's game).  After watching portions of many of the last three week's NFL games, I can see why many fans are cheering the return of the old referees.  However, I am going to miss the replacement refs.  Here are five reasons why.

Clip art courtesy of Microsoft Office

1) More NFL Football: That's right folks. With the replacement refs calling the shots, NFL games that usually run about three hours were lasting a whole lot longer.  Who wouldn't want to watch more of the game they love?  It's like getting an extra 20% of an item.  Er, well, perhaps not in this case...

2) Could Empathize with Refs: Usually, I do not feel like I have much in common with the athletes (who can do things on the field I could never dream of), the owners (whose combined wealth probably is greater than all of the citizens in my locality), and the referees (who have done this gig for what seems like eons and spent hours/years in study).  Let's face it, we might berate the regular refs when they miss calls, but how many of us could actually get those calls right?  I felt quite differently about the replacement refs.  They cam across as average Joes and Janes.  I could see myself having a lot in common with them. 

3) Bonus Fights: For all of its violent hits, an NFL game is usually pretty tame.  Players rarely get into donnybrooks, and when they do, well, the refs. break it up quickly.  The replacement refs seemed, at times, unable to keep the players under control.  I thought it was great.  I got to see some bonus fighting to go along with the football games. 

Clip art courtesy of Microsoft Office

4) Unpredictability: The NFL's use of replacement refs added a little spice to the games.  I was always on the edge of my seat wondering what the refs would call next (or if they would make the right call, etc.).

5) Drama: The replacement refs, and the controversies they helped created, added some drama to the NFL.  It almost turned the league into a reality show--complete with angry coaches and tweeting players.  Fun, fun...

In all seriousness, I think the replacement refs did a great job given the circumstances.  My hat goes off to them for calling the games during the NFL referees lockout.  However, I am glad the normal refs are back.