Referees at all levels of sports will get criticized no matter the call they make. On a level like the NFL, the margin for error is even smaller when thousands of fans take no issue collectively harassing an officiating crew for doing their job.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about holding his officials accountable in making the correct call on the floor and defended the referees who represent his league for all of the times they get the call right and no one bats an eye. One mistake and an entire fanbase is on their back.
“In the NFL, the level of scrutiny is at the highest I’ve ever seen it and that’s part of our popularity,” Goodell said during Monday’s Super Bowl News Conference. “I understand that it’s part of the technology. [The media] all do such a great job that you see more than you could ever see in officiating. The game is faster, but I think our officials do a great job. They are superior. But at the end of the day, no one’s perfect.
“Whether it’s all of us that watch the games or play the games or coach the games or the officials — we have to continue to try to get better. We have to work to use technology where we can to try to improve their performance. Let them use technology to make sure they get the right answer. But I think they do an incredible job, but we’re going to keep working to get better.”
The most recent example of referee scrutiny in the NFL would be during the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills divisional round playoff game. A controversial pass interference call by the officiating crew made some fans believe that the referees were swaying the game in the Chiefs’ favor, who eventually won the game.
“That was absolutely the right call,” Goodell said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in this room would say was not the right call. The official made that call correctly. There was criticism in that, and that was unfounded. If they had not called that play, think of the criticism would have come. So even when the official gets it, right — there is criticism.
“Well, we’re always going to try to get better. I think people have to understand to some extent how these officials are put in that position, and they do an extraordinary job.”
Goodell will hope that his officiating crew for Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers won’t play a factor in the outcome of the game with any sort of controversial call.
Kickoff is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
More must-reads: