Taken on its own, the gesture does not look that serious, but as with the other discussion we have had on this subject, what we don't have is the context of the game when the call was made. If this was a first offense, I would also like to think that in that situation I would also just warn the player.
But what if this was a second or subsequent event? What if the player/coach/team were already warned? At some point the flag has to come out or the warning has no meaning. I did not see the game, so I don't know if there were other situations like this.
Now I know that there are those who will say that even if there were a previous warning, that the action itself would not have been enough to warrant a flag, but I gotta believe the officials on the field earned the right to be there by exercising good judgment in previous assignments. I am not saying that they are incapable of making mistakes or that they did not make a mistake in this instance, but without knowing the whole situation, they deserve, and will get- from me at least- the benefit of the doubt.
We are often quick to criticize other officials for their actions, I am as guilty of that as anyone. But to call them idiots or disparage them personnally seems out of line. There are many differing opinions expressed on this forum, and I have learned a great deal here, but I just wish the personal stuff would be kept to a minimum if not eliminated entirely. There is enough of that coming from the stands and the sidelines. It shouldn't come from other officials
Criticize their decisions, disagree with my opinions, but it serves no purpose to tear each other down.
A Happy and Healthy New Year to you all.
