With advanced technology, viewers can see every mistake referees make with virtually a snap of their fingers.
In defense of the referees, their job is more difficult than ever, considering that the players are faster and stronger, which generates many more explosive plays. However, that doesn’t stop all referees from being dissected under a microscope.
Despite criticism and some questionable calls in both conference championship games, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell took a moment to defend his refs.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions from reporters at a news conference following the close of the NFL Owners Meeting on March 29, 2022, at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Goodell, who has been a commissioner since 2006, says umpiring has never been better.
«I don’t think I’ve ever been better in the league,» Goodell said at his annual Super Bowl week press conference. «There are over 42,000 plays in a season. Multiple fouls could occur on any given play. Take that away or extrapolate that. That’s hundreds if not millions of possible fouls. And our refs do an amazing job of spotting them.»
Players, coaches and the media have criticized referees perhaps more than ever. But every close play is scrutinized with new and improved replay angles.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the field before a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 15, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Goodell added that referees «aren’t perfect, and officiating will never be. Obviously, we’ve also had replays and other aspects that help us address those issues to make sure they’re not something we can’t correct on the field.» «
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Officials came under fire last week by an anonymous NFC defensive head coach for scoring a late hit that set up the Kansas City Chiefs for a field goal to send them to Super Bowl LVII.
The coach said Patrick Mahomes failed and blamed the NFL for not making its officials full-time employees.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media during the Super Bowl LVI MVP and head coach press conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 14, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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«That’s what the owners want, $40 million downed skill players,» the defensive coach told The Athletic, «attracting fouls from chemistry teachers, medical device vendors and the like.»