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Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: hefnerjm on October 13, 2015, 08:48:50 AM

Title: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: hefnerjm on October 13, 2015, 08:48:50 AM
Take a close look at the game-winning La'Veon Bell touchdown from last night's Monday Night Football game (10/12).  The covering official that made the touchdown call at the critical moment of the game...Sarah Thomas. 

http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/HIGHLIGHT-LeVeon-Bells-game-winning-touchdown/d4df958d-8a93-4648-8307-ca535d336b4c (http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/HIGHLIGHT-LeVeon-Bells-game-winning-touchdown/d4df958d-8a93-4648-8307-ca535d336b4c)

As the father of a 14 month old daughter, and an official with a passion for the avocation, I am excited that by the time my daughter graduates high school, Thomas could be one of the NFL's most senior officials, and there would be no question whether a young woman could work on the field...in large part because of Thomas' efforts.

It was a tough call...very close to whether Bell's knee was down before he broke the plane of the goal line (I think the defender's arm was between Bell's knee and the ground).  But Thomas made the right call, in real-time, at the game's highest level. 

And with all the eyes on that call, not a single mention of who the official was...just another set of stripes, making a call.

The best thing that can be said about the NFL's first female official through 5 weeks of the season is that she has been invisible to the NFL's product, and indistinguishable from her male colleagues in the performance of her duties.
Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: GAHSUMPIRE on October 13, 2015, 09:39:59 AM
I don't remember who said it, but at the end of the game one of the announcers did point out that it was she that made the call, and made it correctly.
Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: NWA_UMP on October 13, 2015, 10:42:40 AM
Here's my take...I watched parts of the game as I had a game last night myself. I never even noticed that Sarah was working the game. I also thought the call was spot on as I had the ball breaking the plane before the hip/thigh bounced as the knee hits the ground. My first thought was review will "Confirm" the play not just let it "Stand" as the official ruling was recounted by the White Hat. I have total respect for the job Sarah is doing and wish her a great season.
Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: bbeagle on October 13, 2015, 01:14:31 PM
Take a close look at the game-winning La'Veon Bell touchdown from last night's Monday Night Football game (10/12).  The covering official that made the touchdown call at the critical moment of the game...Sarah Thomas. 

....

It was a tough call...very close to whether Bell's knee was down before he broke the plane of the goal line (I think the defender's arm was between Bell's knee and the ground).  But Thomas made the right call, in real-time, at the game's highest level. 

And with all the eyes on that call, not a single mention of who the official was...just another set of stripes, making a call.

No official is EVER singled out for making a great call. Why would this be any different?

You seem to want praise placed upon a woman official, when a male official never gets the praise either. Very odd.
Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: ncwingman on October 13, 2015, 01:45:00 PM
No official is EVER singled out for making a great call. Why would this be any different?

You seem to want praise placed upon a woman official, when a male official never gets the praise either. Very odd.


When I heard the postgame announcer mention who made the TD signal, I think I sprained a muscle from rolling my eyes.

Yes, it's important that there's full time female officials, but at the end of the day it shouldn't matter. An official who does a good job is an official who isn't noticed.

To quote Futurama, "When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all."
Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: hefnerjm on October 13, 2015, 01:56:04 PM
No official is EVER singled out for making a great call. Why would this be any different?

You seem to want praise placed upon a woman official, when a male official never gets the praise either. Very odd.

Others have mentioned that the announcers singled out Thomas...I did not personally hear that during the broadcast. 

Not trying to praise anyone specifically.  Simply saying that I am looking forward to working with my daughter someday and it not being a big deal. 

#movealong
#nothingtoseehere
Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: SD_Casey on October 13, 2015, 02:20:07 PM
No official is EVER singled out for making a great call. Why would this be any different?

You seem to want praise placed upon a woman official, when a male official never gets the praise either. Very odd.
I was fortunate enough to meet a Deep Wing from C-USA who has shared a sideline with Sarah and he said that this is pretty much her attitude. 

She just loves football and wants to work and be seen as "just another official" like anyone else.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: MNF La'Veon Bell Winning TD - Covering official
Post by: GAHSUMPIRE on October 13, 2015, 03:15:07 PM
No official is EVER singled out for making a great call. Why would this be any different?

You seem to want praise placed upon a woman official, when a male official never gets the praise either. Very odd.

I disagree. There are times when officials have been praised. I assume that there will also be a time when there won't be praise for her as a female official, and she will be treated as just another official, but since she is the first, and only female at this level, she is going to draw more attention. Whether she is being called out because she is a woman or not, people are acknowledging and praising the work of an official. Why is that so bad?

I also took the original post to be more about hefnerj working with his daughter than about the other female official. I think that would be pretty cool.